We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Baptisia tinctoria - (L.)Vent.

Common Name Wild Indigo, Horseflyweed
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The plant is poisonous in large quantities[21, 46]. Irritation of the eyes. May cause dermatitis. Avoid with inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases [301].
Habitats Dry soils in open woods and clearings[21, 43].
Range Eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Baptisia tinctoria Wild Indigo, Horseflyweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptisia-tinctoria-Conrad-Loddiges-1822_clean.jpg
Baptisia tinctoria Wild Indigo, Horseflyweed
http://flickr.com/photos/61897811@N00

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Baptisia tinctoria is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Baptisia gibbesii. Podalyria tinctoria. Sophora tinctoria.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[2, 105, 161, 177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Adaptogen  Alterative  Antibacterial  Antiseptic  Astringent  Cholagogue  Emetic  Febrifuge  
Homeopathy  Purgative  Stimulant

Wild indigo was a favourite medicine of the N. American Indians, a decoction of the roots being used as an antiseptic wash for wounds and skin complaints[213, 238]. Modern research has shown that this acrid bitter herb stimulates the immune system[222, 238] and is particularly effective against bacterial infections[238]. Caution is advised in the internal use of this plant, large or frequent doses are potentially harmful[222]. A tea made from the roots is cholagogue, emetic, febrifuge and purgative[4, 21, 46, 165, 222]. The fresh root is also considered to be antiseptic, astringent and laxative[4, 21, 46, 165, 222]. The infusion is used in the treatment of upper respiratory infections such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and is also valuable in treating infections of the chest, gastro-intestinal tract and skin[254].The plants antimicrobial and immune-stimulant properties combat lymphatic problems, when used with detoxifying herbs such as Arctium lappa it helps to reduce enlarged lymph nodes[254]. Wild indigo is frequently prescribed, along with Echinacea, in the treatment of chronic viral infections or chronic fatigue syndrome[254]. A decoction of the root soothes sore or infected nipples and infected skin conditions[254]. When used as a mouth wash or gargle the decoction treats mouth ulcers, gum infections and sore throats[254]. The fresh root, including the bark, is used to make a homeopathic medicine[232]. This has a limited range of action, but is used especially in the treatment of certain types of flu[232].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye  Repellent

This species is related to the tropical plant Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) and, like that species, contains a blue dyestuff in the leaves[1]. The dyestuff is only contained in very low concentrations, however, and a very large quantity of leaves would be required to obtain reasonable quantities of indigo[169]. A yellow dye can also be obtained from the plant[61]. If the growing plant is harvested and hung up, it is said to repel flies[213].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep, rich, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun[200, 233]. Grows freely in a loamy soil. Plants are shy flowering in British gardens[200, 233]. Plants have a very deep root system and dislike root disturbance, they should be left alone once they are established[188, 233]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and then sown in a cold frame in late winter or early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following spring. Division in spring[188]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Baptisia australisWild Indigo, Blue wild indigo, Blue False IndigoPerennial1.5 3-9 SLMNDM022
Baptisia bracteataPlains Wild Indigo, Longbract wild indigo, False Indigo, Cream Wild IndigoPerennial0.7 4-9 MLMNDM02 
Baptisia lacteaWild IndigoPerennial2.0 4-8  LMNM01 
Baptisia pendulaWhite False Indigo, False IndigoPerennial1.0 3-9 SLMNM002

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Vent.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Gopal Pandey   Thu Apr 13 2006

We have found this remedy very effective in a severe case of the influenza. Couple of doses of 200 c potency cured the patient. Gopal Pandey

MRS R Jones   Fri Jun 13 2008

do you know of any where i can purchase Wild Indigo? Metabolic sell it but i cannot find their number Thank you R F Jones

dr, mrinmoy sasmal   Tue Nov 17 2009

it is agood medicine in treating typhoid

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Baptisia tinctoria  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.