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Baptisia australis
  • Wild Indigo

a perennial member of the Baptisia genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Baptisia australis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

A report says that the plant is potentially toxic[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Baptisia australis.

Material uses

A blue dye is obtained from the plant[2]. No more information is given, but it is likely to be the leaves that are used[K].
There are no material uses listed for Baptisia australis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Appetizer, digestive[3].

The root is antiemetic, emetic and purgative[1][2]. There are confusing reports from two sources that the plant is used as an emetic and also that a cold tea is given to stop vomiting[1][2]. A poultice of the root is anti-inflammatory and is held in the mouth to treat toothaches[1].

The plant is under investigation as a potential stimulant of the immune system[1].

Unknown part

Antiemetic
Appetizer
Digestive
Emetic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and then sown in a cold frame in late winter or early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following spring. Division in spring[5]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Baptisia australis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun[5][4]. Grows freely in a loamy soil[6]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in a rich moist soil in sun or light shade[7].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[7]. A very ornamental species, but it is somewhat shy flowering in British gardens[6]. Plants have a very deep root system and dislike root disturbance, they should be left alone once they are established[5][8].

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].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Baptisia australis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Baptisia australis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Baptisia australis
Genus
Baptisia
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[3][1][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2]
Botanic
[9][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Baptisia australis3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Baptisia_australis&oldid=75513"
    Facts about "Baptisia australis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusBaptisia +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has binomial nameBaptisia australis +
    Has common nameWild Indigo +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageBaptisia australis3.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiemetic +, Appetizer +, Digestive +, Emetic + and Purgative +
    Has primary imageBaptisia australis3.jpg +
    Has search namebaptisia australis + and wild indigo +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBaptisia australis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Baptisia australis +, Baptisia australis +, Baptisia australis +, Baptisia australis + and Baptisia australis +