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Blue Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis var. minor

Other common name(s):

Dwarf Blue Indigo, False Indigo

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers
Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Neutral

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Best as specimen or in small groups.. Can also be used in borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, prairies, meadows and native plant gardens. No serious insect or disease problems. Trimming or shearing foliage to shape after bloom helps maintain rounded plant appearance, but eliminates the developing seed pods which are so attractive.

Comments

Blooms April-July. Flowers are blue-purple and pea-like on upright spikes. Leaves are divided into three leaflets. In late fall the plant turns silvery-gray. Attracts butterflies. Larval Host: Wild Indigo Duskywing
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Baptisia minor, Baptisia texana, Baptisia vespertina

References

1) https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280685&isprofile=0&, 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BAAUM, 3) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=192839#null, 4) http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Baptisiaaustralis.png, 5) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/baptisia-australis-minor-false-indigo, 6) https://www.prairiemoon.com/baptisia-australis-var-minor-dwarf-blue-indigo-prairie-moon-nursery.html, 7) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Baptisia+australis+var.+minor&formsubmit=Search+Terms

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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