Indigofera kirilowii
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
- 1.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Ophthalmic[2].
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
- Habitat
- Grassy places and scrub in sunny positions[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- 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[5]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[5]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[1]. Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[5]. 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[1][4]. Succeeds on chalk[1]. The rootstock is hardy to about -20°c[4] and plants resprout from the base if they are cut back by winter cold. Plants are only sometimes cut to the ground in the winter[1]. They flower on the current years growth[3] and flower more freely if they are pruned to the ground during the winter. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. 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[4].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N. Corean Flora. Royal Asiatic Society 1918-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00