Wild Indigo Herb

Wild indigo can be found growing in wildflower patches across the U.S.

Wild indigo is a plant native to the United States and one worth rediscovering for any garden hobbyist or weekend horticulturist. From stunning blue flowers to the purest white, a member of this group of plants can be found to suit any gardener's needs. Some of these species are nearing extinction and can use a helping hand.

Description

The genus Baptisia, or wild indigo, consists of over 20 species and is found mostly in the eastern and southern regions of the United States. Wild indigo is a warm weather legume and member of the pea family with trifoliate leaves. Typically growing to about 3 feet, the bushy plant can grow to over as 5 feet tall. The flowers range in color from deep blue to white. Wild indigo plants produce a hard pod that, when mature, contain several loose seeds or peas inside.

Common Varieties

Native to the United States, the species Baptisia australis-- also called wild indigo, false indigo, baptisia, plains baptisia, rattlepod and rattlebush--produces the blue flowers. Also called yellow indigo or yellow wild indigo, Baptisia tinctoria is native to the United States and considered a noxious weed in some states. Baptisia alba, commonly known as white indigo, is similar in properties to Baptisia tinctoria. Finally, Baptisia bracteata, also called long-bracted wild indigo and plains wild indigo, blooms in early spring and produces white flowers.

History

The genus name Baptisia stems from the Greek word bapto, which means "to dip" or "to dye." Native Americans used the blue species of wild indigo plants to produce a dye similar to that of India's Indigofera tinctoria or true indigo. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Plant Guide, the Cherokee Indians taught the settlers how to make dye from these plants. Synthetic forms of indigo dye have since replaced the plant-derived products.

Garden Uses

Like other legumes, wild indigo plants will fix nitrogen in the soil and make a healthy addition to ornamental and vegetable gardens alike. They are used as perennial ground covers and edging in sunny spots. Wild indigo requires little to no maintenance once a healthy growth is established. When growing wild indigo, do not treat the area with herbicides designed to kill broad-leaf plants, as they will kill the wild indigo plants as well.

Medicinal Uses

Native American Indians utilized wild indigo for a number of medicinal purposes. Different preparations of the plant were used as an eye wash, to soothe a toothache, as a purgative and an anti-emetic. According to Jennifer Schultz Nelson of the University of Illinois' Plant Palette: "Medical researchers are looking at this plant's potential for stimulating the immune system. It is worth noting that this plant has potential to be toxic and so experimenting with medicinal uses is not advised."

References

• USDA Plant Guide: Blue Wild Indigo
• Purdue University's New Crop Resource: Yellow Wild Indigo
• Great Plains Nature Center: Plains Wild Indigo
• University of Illinois' Plant Palette: False Indigo
• USDA Plant Database: Wild Indigo