Indigofera pseudotinctoria
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 m
- Spread
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and flowers are boiled and eaten[3][4].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan.
- Habitat
- Thickets, streamsides, ravines in W. Hupeh, 300 - 2000 metres[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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[6]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[6]. 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[6]. 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]. Most members of this genus have their top-growth cut back by winter cold in this country. The roots are much hardier, however, and the plants usually resprout freely from the base in late spring, growing away quickly and flowering freely in late summer[K]. 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
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
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