Indigofera hebepetala
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Indigofera genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Indigofera
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The flowers and tender fruits (probably the immature seed pods[K]) are coked as a vegetable or are pickled[6].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Seedpod
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Used as a fuel[3].
- Product or use
- Fuel
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Shady places, 2100 - 3000 metres in Jaunsar, Uttar Pradesh[3]. Open places at elevations of 1600 - 2800 metres in Nepal[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow February in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[7]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[7]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[2]. Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[7]. Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[2][5]. Succeeds on chalk[2]. Except in warm sheltered gardens the plant is cut back to the ground by winter cold, though it usually resprouts from the base and flowers in late summer[4]. Plants grow much taller in milder climates where they do not get cut back by winter cold[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00