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Indigofera heterantha - Wall. ex Brandis.

Common Name Indigo Bush
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry sunny slopes, often forming dense scrub, and in forests 1500 - 3000 metres[146, 184].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to W. China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Indigofera heterantha Indigo Bush


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Indigofera heterantha Indigo Bush
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Indigofera heterantha is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2.5 m (8ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from May to November, 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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

I. dosva. Lindl. non D.Don. I. gerardiana. Baker. I. rubroviolacea.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

The flowers are boiled and 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

Basketry  Fuel

The branches are used in basket making and in making twig bridges[146, 158]. They are also used as a fuel[145, 158].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer  Scented Plants

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]. Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained soils[184], including dry ones[182, 202]. Tolerates light shade[202]. The rootstock is hardy to about -15°c[184, 200] and plants resprout from the base if they are cut back by winter cold. Plants are cut back to the ground in most winters at Kew though they are all right in the milder areas of the country[11]. They flower on the current years growth[184] and flower more freely if they are pruned to the ground during the winter or early spring[219]. They do not come into new growth until quite late in the spring[219]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Fast-growing when young, but slowing with age[200]. The flowers have a vanilla scent[245]. 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

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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

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, China (Xizang Zizhiqu) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Pakistan

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 hebepetala Shrub1.2 7-10  LMNM101
Indigofera hendecaphyllaCreeping indigo, spicate indigo, trailing indigoShrub0.5 10-12 FLMHFSNDM004
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

Wall. ex Brandis.

Botanical References

11146200

Links / References

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

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