Plant · GBIF taxon 2976091
tall blue wild indigo
Baptisia australisAlso known as Blue False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, False Indigo, Indigo Weed
Tall blue wild indigo forms shrub-like mounds of blue-green clover-like foliage topped by erect spikes of vibrant indigo-blue pea flowers each spring. Deep taproots allow established plants to withstand prolonged drought while fixing nitrogen in prairie soils through symbiotic root bacteria. Dark, inflated seed pods rattle in autumn winds, providing seasonal interest and housing specialized weevil larvae.
PerennialFloweringNative
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Wild Indigo Duskywing Caterpillars
- Seed Weevils
- White-Tailed Deer
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, seed predation by weevils
HabitatsPrairies, open woodlands, riverbanks, meadows
Life span10–20+ years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderFabales
- FamilyFabaceae
- GenusBaptisia
- SpeciesBaptisia australis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains quinolizidine alkaloids that cause nausea if ingested; do not consume.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains quinolizidine alkaloids such as cytisine, which cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if eaten in quantity.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by trifoliate blue-green leaves and dense upright racemes of deep blue pea-like blossoms.
- What to do
- Avoid eating any plant parts and keep foliage away from curious pets or livestock.
Responsible observation
- Planting: Position in full sun and deep, well-drained soil to support its expansive root system.
- Observation: Look inside late-summer seed pods for small holes left by emerging seed weevils.
- Maintenance: Avoid moving established plants due to their deep, sensitive taproots.
Herbivore Host (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
Pollinator (c) crseaquist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by crseaquist · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) benet2006, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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