Up-stem, smaller and larger branches switch from one side to the other, resulting in zigzag stems. The larger branch emerges from the center of the bract pair while the smaller branch emerges to one side between the bracts. Thereafter up-stem, outward growing pairs of bracts subtend two straight branches that diverge one from the other at 45 or more degrees with one branch noticeably smaller than the other. Next up-stem, the upper portion of a single clasping sessile bract flares outward. (Paired bracts occurring with the leaves are technically stipules.) The lowest single bract at or below ground level is sessile and tightly clasps the stem. Bracts along stems and branches occur singly or in pairs. These hairs cast a grey tinge to purple stems and create a white halo at stem edges. In spring, terete (round) stems have a heavy pubescence of uniformly short, white hairs. Being a legume, the plant pulls nitrogen from the air into its roots with the aid of bacteria. Reaching a height of about 2 feet with a wider width, it has one or multiple stems from an impressively large rootstock. The specific epithet, from Latin, relates to the large bracts subtending the flowers.Ĭream wild indigo is a long lived herbaceous perennial that is found in various mesic to dry soils in the full sun of prairies to partial shade of open woods and savannahs. The genus name is derived from Greek for “to dye”, based on some plants of the genus having been used to produce a blue dye similar to that from the true “indigo” plants ( Indigofera spp.). Another common name is long-bract wild indigo. In Arkansas, it occurs mostly statewide except for some portions of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. It is also reported from Connecticut and New Jersey. Its range is centered in the Midwest, extends south to Texas and Florida.Cream wild indigo ( Baptisia bracteata*), of the Pea (Fabaceae) family occurs from the Midwest to Texas and the Southeastern states except for Florida. While this species is indicative of the tallgrass prairie, it will also occur in open woodlands and roadsides. It is a long-lived drought tolerant plant and a legume, meaning it fixates nitrogen. Although it may take several years to reach maturity, White Wild Indigo grows quickly in the Spring. The dried plants often act as tumbleweeds and blow with the wind along the land dropping seeds as they roll along. Mature plants can be quite large, with a the base reaching up to four feet in diamater.īumblebees and butterflies like to visit White Wild Indigo. The plant has a deep taproot and does not respond well to being moved however, the taproot makes these very drought tolerant plants. Individual plants are very long-lived, but young transplants can take up to four years of development before they are full grown and producing flowers. The species name "alba" means "white," cleary referring to the white flowers. The name "Baptisia" means "to dye," referring to some species with indigo flowers in this genus being used as a dye. By late June it has transformed into a beautiful, five foot flowering perennial with spikes of white flowers. Its growth cycle begins in Spring when a slender purple stem emerges from the ground. It stands out among other prairie plants reaching up to 5 feet tall. White Wild Indigo (Baptisia Alba) - Referred to as White False or Wild Indigo.
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