Savanna-Wild White Indigo

Wild White Indigo

Order: Hemiptera

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Baptisia

Species: B. alba macrophylla

General Characteristics: This native perennial plant is about 3-6' tall and forms an erect, sparsely branched bush, although it is herbaceous. The stout central stem and upper side stems are smooth, light green or reddish purple, and glaucous. The compound leaves are trifoliate. They are usually greyish green or blue green, and hairless. Each leaflet is ovate or oblanceolate and pointed at both ends, with smooth margins, and about 2" long and ¾" across. The white flowers occur in erect spike-like racemes up to 2' long and are quite showy. They are typical pea flowers in overall structure, and about 1" long. There is no floral scent. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-1½ months. The flowers are replaced by large oblong seedpods, which are also rather showy. They are about 2" long and initially green, but later turn black. There is a stout deep taproot, and rhizomes that may form vegetative offsets. Once established, White Wild Indigo grows very quickly during the spring – it often towers above the surrounding plants by blooming time.

Special Adaptations: Native Americans used Baptisia tinctoria root to treat a wide range of maladies. Wild indigo preparations were applied externally to disinfect wounds and soothe inflammations, and ingested as a remedy for venereal disease, pain, and liver and kidney problems. Their use of wild indigo to create a weak blue dye inspired the nickname “false indigo”. Wild indigo was also once known as “horsefly weed”, as farmers discovered that tying bunches of the plant to horses kept insects at bay. Doctors in the late 1800s-early 1900s recognized the potential of wild indigo to combat deadly illnesses, notably typhoid, smallpox, and scarlet fever . Botanical literature from this period documents Baptisia tinctoria as a treatment for ulcerations, gangrenous wounds, upper respiratory infections, and mouth sores, and states that it also fortifies red blood cells and promotes the flow of bile and digestive juices.