Baptisia australis (blue false indigo)

Baptisia australis (blue false indigo). . , Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family), Distribution: Blue false indigo can be found throughout the mid-west as far north as Nebraska and Wisconsin to the east coast north through New Hampshire and south through Georgia. It reaches into Ontario in Canada. In West Virginia it is found in the eastern panhandle and in the southeastern counties., Size: This perennial plant usually grows to be around 3 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide but can become bigger., Habitat/Description: Populations of blue false indigo, also called wild indigo, can be found growing in native hay meadows, open prairies, tree lines, and forested riparian areas with sandy, gravely, or well-drained soils. This plant does not grow well in habitats that are shaded, but it is able to survive prolonged droughts. It can also sustain itself in temperature extremes as cold as negative 30° F, but only for short periods. Flowering time is affected by regional climate differences: April (in the south) through August (in the north). Wind aids in seed dispersal after flowering. Wild indigo is often cultivated, but in its native habitats, parasitic weevils can infest the seedpods. As a nitrogen fixer, it can return nitrogen to the soil. Grazing animals often avoid this plant because it contains several alkaloids, which cause it to have a bitter taste. This is a native, non-invasive species., Ethnobotanical Uses: The Cherokee utilized the blue color of blue false indigo to dye their clothes, a practice that early settlers adopted as well. Other native tribes had medicinal uses for the plant. For example, the Osage tribe used it to make a cleansing wash for the eyes. Cherokees used it to make tea. Served hot, this tea could be used as a purgative. When served cold, it helped to prevent vomiting. If the roots were pulverized, they could be held over a sore tooth to relieve the pain. Loose seeds that were present in dried pods were used to make rattles by Native American children.