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Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Other common name(s):

Blue Wild Indigo, Blue False Indigo

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

1
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Limestone, Acid, Well Drained, Neutral

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Prefers full sun and is quite drought tolerant, but also does well in partial shade. Prefers well drained soil. It can become leggy, trimming or shearing foliage after bloom helps maintain a more compact appearance. Works well for borders, cottage gardens, prairies, meadows and native plant gardens. Effective in naturalized settings. Best as a specimen or in small groups. Propagation: Seed, Root division.

Comments

Blooms April-Jully. A bushy perennial that can form a woody base. Produces a deep tap root. Flowers are blue-purple and pea-like, in dense terminal spikes. Leaves are divided into three leaflets. In late fall the plant turns silvery-gray, sometimes breaking off at ground level and tumbling about in the wind. Most parts of the plant is poisonous. Attracts many pollinators. Larval host: Frosted Elfin, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and Hoary Edge butterflies.

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26468#null, 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BAAU, 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=10736&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Baptisia+australis&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 5) https://www.prairienursery.com/blue-false-indigo-baptisia-australis.html, 6) https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b660

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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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