What is Wild Indigo?

Identification

• Wild indigo plants vary in size depending upon the species. They have tall branching stems and palmate leaves, or leaves that are shaped like the palm of a hand, with three distinct lobes. The plants produce long, narrow clusters of yellow, blue or white flowers. Large seed pods replace the blossoms.

Types

• The yellow wild indigo plant Baptisia tinctoria grows between 2 and 3 feet tall. It produces clusters of bright yellow blossoms between June and September. The white wild indigo (Baptisia alba) produces white blossoms, while the blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis) grows between 36 and 48 inches tall and produces blue flowers.

Considerations

• Yellow wild indigo roots were traditionally used in medicinal preparations as a treatment for colds, infections and flu; they were also used to create a blue dye. Wild indigo plants prefer full sunlight and porous, sandy soil. They are susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew and rust, as well as attacks from seed-eating weevils.