Common Name of Plant: Blue False Indigo
Scientific Name of Plant: Baptisia australis
Average Height of Plant: 24-48”
Blooming Time: May-June
Ask the Botanist
What are the leaves like?
Blue False Indigo’s leaves are broad and wide with smooth surfaces and edges. The leaves
are thin and easy to bend. They have petioles, and the leaves are horizontal to the ground
and facing in all directions. They appear alternately on the stem.
What type of flowers bloom on this plant?
The one inch, deep blue flowers grow on spikes that appear well above the leaves of the
plant. The flowers resemble those of lupines. The flowers can be used for cut flowers.
What is unusual about the seedpods or seeds of this plant?
The seeds are found in black pods. If shaken, the seeds rattle inside of the pods. When ripe,
the pods open to release the seeds.
How is this plant important to animals? Has it also been used by people?
Blue false indigo was used by the Cherokee to make a blue dye. They also used it to treat
painful toothaches. They also used it as a poultice to treat inflammation. The seedpods
were used by children as rattles.
This plant attracts birds and butterflies.
Is there anything else unusual about this plant?
Blue False Indigo is a member of the pea/bean family. The genus name is from the Greek
baptizein means “to dye,” because it has been used as substitutes for true indigo dye.
Whole Plant
Leaf
Flower
Stem
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