Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Size: 1 Gallon Availability
*Available Upon Request*

Shrub
Max size: 4’ tall x 4’ wide
Average size: 3′ tall x 3′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Clay, Sand
Sun, Part Shade
Low Salt Tolerance

This deciduous shrub blooms with blue flowers in the spring. These vibrant flowers attract a range of local pollinators, while also being a larval host plant for a variety of butterflies including Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, Eastern Tailed Blue, Hoary Edge, and Wild Indigo Duskywing. This indigo species tends to be resistant to rabbits, deer, and droughts while also helping with erosion control.

Indigenous medicinal uses include: infusion for vomiting; emetic; hot infusion of root used for toothache. The roots have been used to make a blue dye.