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Indigofera hebepetala - Benth.

Common Name
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shady places, 2100 - 3000 metres in Jaunsar, Uttar Pradesh[158]. Open places at elevations of 1600 - 2800 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Indigofera hebepetala


Indigofera hebepetala

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Indigofera hebepetala is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

The flowers and tender fruits (probably the immature seed pods[K]) are coked as a vegetable or are pickled[272].

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

Fuel

Used as a fuel[158].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[11, 200]. Succeeds on chalk[11]. Except in warm sheltered gardens the plant is cut back to the ground by winter cold, though it usually resprouts from the base and flowers in late summer[182]. Plants grow much taller in milder climates where they do not get cut back by winter cold[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. 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].

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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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow February in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[11]. Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[78]. Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal), Nepal, Pakistan (north)

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
Indigofera arrectaBengal Indigo, Java indigo, Natal indigoPerennial2.0 10-12 MLMHNM224
Indigofera cassioides Shrub3.5 8-11  LMNM111
Indigofera decoraChinese indigoShrub1.0 5-7 MLMNM213
Indigofera hendecaphyllaCreeping indigo, spicate indigo, trailing indigoShrub0.5 10-12 FLMHFSNDM004
Indigofera heteranthaIndigo BushShrub3.0 6-9  LMNDM101
Indigofera kirilowiiKirilow's indigo, IndigoShrub1.5 5-7 MLMNM01 
Indigofera pseudotinctoriaIndigoShrub1.0 6-10 MLMNM10 
Indigofera suffruticosaAnil Indigo, Anil de pastoPerennial1.5 10-12 FLMHSNDM024
Indigofera tinctoriaIndigo, True Indigo, dye indigoShrub2.0 5-12 FLMHSNM224

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

Benth.

Botanical References

11158200

Links / References

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