Nodding Wild Indigo

Baptisia bracteata G.H. Muhlenberg ex S. Elliott

Fabaceae : Papilionoideae

This slow-growing, long-lived perennial is another one of the natives that should be used more in gardens and restored prairie areas. It has very pretty flowers and several uses. The roots can be used to get a blue (indigo) dye on fabric and wool, while the leaves can be used to make an astringent and stimulative tea. Historically the seed was used by Native Americans in a mixture to treat colic. Immuno-stimulant properties of Nodding Wild Indigo are suggested by recent research. Another interesting fact is that the plant turns black or silver when it dies, then breaks off and is blown around by the wind (spreading its seed).

You can easily tell this plant from the other yellow flowered Wild Indigos that grow in our area. The others have upright flowers and round seed pods. This is opposed to the hanging creamy yellow flowers and oblong seed pods of Nodding Wild Indigo.

Behind the Name :

Also commonly known as Plains Wild Indigo, Plains False Indigo, Large-bracted Wild Indigo, White-stem Wild Indigo, Cream Wild Indigo, Cream False Indigo.

Two variants of this plant are found in Texas. The variants differ in shape and width of leaves.

1. Baptisia bracteata var. laevicaulis
   syn = Baptisia laevicaulis
   syn = Baptisia leucophaea var. laevicaulis
   
   
2. Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
   syn = Baptisia leucophaea
   syn = Baptisia leucophaea var. glabrescens

Definitions:

Baptisia -

Means to dip or dye; refers to one of the uses of some plants in this genus

bracteata -

Having bracts (modified leaves directly beneath the flowers)

laevicaulis -

From levis (smooth) and colis (stem of a plant); With smooth stems

leucophaea -

Grayish-white; probably refers to the color of the plants once it dies for the season

texensis -

From tex (Texas) and -ensis (locality specification); meaning found in Texas

Full Names:

In order to be botanically accurate, I will list the full scientific names including the botanists' names. (Dave says it is overkill, but Oh well.)

• Baptisia bracteata G.H. Muhlenberg ex S. Elliott var. laevicaulis (A. Gray ex W. Canby) D. Isley
  syn = Baptisia laevicaulis (W. Canby) J. K. Small
  syn = Baptisia leucophaea T. Nuttall var. laevicaulis W. Canby
  
  
• Baptisia bracteata G.H. Muhlenberg ex S. Elliott var. leucophaea (T. Nuttall) J. Kartesz & K. Gandhi
  syn = Baptisia leucophaea T. Nuttall
  syn = Baptisia leucophaea T. Nuttall var. glabrescens M. Larisey

Baptisia spp. have been known to be toxic to cattle when ingested. However, I have seen Nodding Wild Indigo (Baptisia bracteata) growing in cattle pastures and the plants were uneaten. Perhaps in times of drought or starvation they may be tempted to try it though.

[Butterflies]

• Wild Indigo Duskwing (Erynnis baptisiae)

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, Texas native plant, perennial, herb, garden worthy, medicinal plant, dye plant, butterflies, spring flowers, cream flowers, yellow flowers, white flowers, pastures, roadsides, prairies, woodland openings, sand dunes, Leguminosae family, Pea family, Bean family, Legume family, Papilionoideae subfamily

Related Links :

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: species account
• USDA PLANTS Database: plant profile