| Baptisia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Baptisia australis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Sophoreae |
| Genus: | Baptisia Vent. (1808) |
| Species | |
|
27–30; see text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Baptisia, commonly referred to as wild indigo or false indigo, represents a diverse genus within the legume family, Fabaceae. These flowering herbaceous perennials exhibit an array of characteristics, including pea-like flowers, blooming in the spring that eventually mature into pods, occasionally displaying an inflated form. Renowned for their enduring presence and a spectrum of colours ranging from yellow, blue and white,[2] Baptisia's captivate gardeners with their colourful stems, unique foliage, and exquisite flowers.
Native to regions spanning from the East to the Midwest of North America, Baptisia species contribute to the natural beauty of various ecosystems. Their flowers, adorned with characteristic wing and keel petals, give rise to bean-like fruit. Typically, their leaves are trifoliate, divided into three segments, often accompanied by small stipules on the petiole, which aid in species identification.[3]
The name "Baptisia" finds its origins in the Greek word "bapto", meaning "to dye" alluding to certain species historically utilized for dye production. Similarly, the common name "False Indigo" highlights the plant's historical role as a substitute for true indigo (Indigofera) from the West Indies.[4]
The cultivation of Baptisia represents one of the earliest instances of agricultural subsidies in America, underscoring its historical significance in the agricultural landscape. The species most commonly found and used in cultivation is B. australis.[3]
- ^ Baptisia Vent. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, False Indigo, Wild Indigo) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ a b Armitage, Allan M. (2006). Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens. Timber Press. ISBN 9780881927603.
- ^ Armitage, Allan M. (2008). Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes. Champaigne, IL.: Stipes Pub Llc. pp. 188–193. ISBN 9781610583800.