Wild Indigo Baptisia

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Baptisia

  Family:

  Fabaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Perennial

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  E. Canada to Central & E. U.S.A

  Distribution:

  Throughout; gardens

  Wildlife Value:

  Attracts bees

  Play Value:

  Wildlife Food Source

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Herbaceous Perennial

  Native Plant

  Poisonous

• Fruit:

  Fruit Description:

  Fruit is an inflated, stalked pod with several seeds.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Blue

  Gold/Yellow

  Purple/Lavender

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Raceme

  Spike

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Flower Shape:

  Irregular

  Flower Description:

  Flowers either on long-stalked clusters above the leaves or axillary. Flowers stand up on a raceme or spike. Blooms are white, blue, purple-blue, or yellow and can be irregular and pea-shaped.

• Leaves:

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Shape:

  Elliptical

  Obovate

  Leaf Margin:

  Entire

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Description:

  Baptisia spp. is a perennial herb with alternate, 3-parted leaves, turning black upon drying. Leaves are entire, green, and can vary in shape from elliptical to obovate. Leaves seem to be in groups of 3 at then end of a stem.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Woodland

  Landscape Theme:

  Pollinator Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Problems:

  Poisonous to Humans

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  Low

  Poison Symptoms:

  THIS PLANT CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Poisonous through ingestion: Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. All parts are poisonous.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Baptisin and cytisine

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  No

  Poison Part:

  Bark

  Flowers

  Fruits

  Leaves

  Roots

  Sap/Juice

  Seeds

  Stems