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Baptisia pendula - Larisey.

Common Name White False Indigo, False Indigo
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 3-9
Known Hazards The plant is potentially toxic[222].
Habitats Not known
Range South-eastern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Baptisia pendula White False Indigo, False  Indigo


Baptisia pendula White False Indigo, False  Indigo

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Baptisia pendula is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from June to July. 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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A blue dye is obtained from the leaves. It is an indigo substitute but a lot of leaves are required for even a little indigo[169].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Specimen. Prefers a deep, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun[200, 233]. Grows freely in a loamy soil[1]. Shy flowering in British gardens[1]. Plants have a very deep root system and dislike root disturbance, they should be left alone once they are established[188, 233]. This species might be no more than a synonym for Baptisia alba var. alba. 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]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Florida (north), Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina)

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 tinctoriaWild Indigo, HorseflyweedPerennial0.9 4-8  LMNDM132

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Larisey.

Botanical References

Links / References

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