Wild Indigo Plant

Wild indigo plants bloom in mid-spring to late summer.

Members of the plant family Fabaceae, wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) plants pollinate by insect, spread through rhizomes and propagate by seed. Approximately twenty known varieties of wild indigo dot the U.S. landscape. These herbaceous perennials bloom in vibrant shades of blue, yellow and white--to name a few. Every part of the wild indigo plant has its place in history, each made famous by artisans and healers.

History

Native Americans used the roots of the plant to treat ailments and disease, clean wounds and reduce inflammation. Wild indigo roots soaked in water formed a blue dye that the Indians referred to as "false indigo." During the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, farmers referred to wild indigo as horsefly weed upon discovering that the plant kept insects away from their horses. It was also during this time that physicians recognized the plant's usefulness in fighting deadly diseases, such as small pox and typhoid.

Identification

Mature wild indigo plants stand erectly between 2 and 6 feet. The sparse stems of the bushes are light green, giving way to gray compound leaves, trifoliate in nature. Wild indigo plants bloom in mid-spring to late summer, producing 2-foot stalks studded with attractive blooms. Showy 2-inch seedpods replace the spent blooms, turning from green to black with ripening. Each seedpod contains one, blue-black seed.

Propagation

Wild indigo seeds propagate easily when planted at a ¼-inch depth in damp potting soil. A constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above improves the chances of seed germination, along with bright, indirect sunlight. The germination of wild indigo seeds often occur within two to four weeks of planting. A plant heating pad can assist in keeping the seeds warm as they germinate.

Geography

Most wild indigo varieties are hardy to between USDA zones 3 and 10. Although, there are some varieties of wild indigo that thrive in hardiness zone 2. Widely distributed, wild indigo grows in meadows, prairies, thickets, marshes and lake borders. Not fussy, wild indigo prefers dry to moist soil, just about anywhere that contains full sun and acidic conditions. This hardy plant appreciates loam, sand, clay and gravel-filled soils all the same.

Potential

According to the University of California, San Diego, wild indigo is thought to stimulate the immune system when taken internally as a complementary medicine. When combined with Echinacea, wild indigo creates a tincture, which when given in 1 to 2ml doses, helps to relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Unfortunately, the use of wild indigo can lead to nausea and vomiting. The safety of wild indigo has not yet been determined.

References

• Appalachian Forest: Baptisia tinctoria
• University of California, San Diego: Health Concerns

Resources

• Cherry Gal: Wild Indigo Blue