What Is a Wild Indigo Flower?
Several species that share the name "wild indigo" grow throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States, producing delicate blue, white or yellow flowers. The plant was used by the Cherokee and Iroquois for a range of medicinal purposes and has been found to stimulate the immune system. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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The wild indigo flower belongs to the Fabaceae---or pea---family. It is sensitive to frost and grows best in open fields with partial shade. The plant usually reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet, depending on the variety.
Types
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Wild indigo flower varieties include the white wild, blue wild, longbract wild, horseflyweed, spiked wild, grayhairy wild, pineland and cobwebby wild indigo.
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Geography
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White wild indigo, blue wild indigo, longbract wild indigo, and horseflyweed are found throughout the eastern United States Other varieties, such as pineland and cobwebby wild indigo, are found only in one or a few states. Two varieties, horseflyweed and blue wild indigo, also grow in Ontario, Canada.
Time Frame
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Blooming times vary by species, but most wild indigo flowers are in bloom during late spring, summer and early fall.
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