Indigo, False
Baptisia australis
Family: Fabaceae
Woody perennial. Native to southern and central United States.
Makes a handsome bush with three-lobed leaves and masses of erect, pea-like
blossoms. The root tea was used by Native Americans as a purgative,
and the root was applied externally as an anti-inflammatory poultice.
All Baptisia species are potential immune stimulators, and all are
potentially
toxic when used in large dosage. Cultivation:
Scarify seed and plant in pots or direct seed. Plants prefer full
sun, well-drained, sandy soil, low to moderate water. Plants tolerate poor
soil and once established, drought. Average germ. time 5 days. Space
plants 3 feet apart. Flowers blue 3 to 5 feet tall.
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