Family: Fabaceae
large-leaved wild indigo, milky white indigo, white wild indigo
[Baptisia alba var. macrophylla (Larisey) Isely, more...]
Derek Anderson
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Baptisia: from Greek baptizein, "to dye," for the use of this plant for a poor indigo dye
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-6' tall, mostly smooth forb; stems with many branches toward the top but below the inflorescence
Leaves: palmately-divided into 3-5 leaflets with the stipules at the base appearing as 2 additional leaflets, dries to a gray-black color
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" long, stalks less than 1/4" long; inflorescence a 8"-20" long, erect, spike-like cluster (raceme) with the small, deciduous leaves (bracts) below the inflorescence less than 1/2" long; blooms June-July
Fruits: brown, inflated, cylindrical, erect pod
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-6' tall, mostly smooth forb; stems with many branches toward the top but below the inflorescence
Leaves: palmately-divided into 3-5 leaflets with the stipules at the base appearing as 2 additional leaflets, dries to a gray-black color
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" long, stalks less than 1/4" long; inflorescence a 8"-20" long, erect, spike-like cluster (raceme) with the small, deciduous leaves (bracts) below the inflorescence less than 1/2" long; blooms June-July
Fruits: brown, inflated, cylindrical, erect pod
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, Wetland Indicator = FACU* Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Merel R. Black
Christopher Noll
Paul Drobot
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Robert R. Kowal
Robert R. Kowal
Robert Bierman
Christopher Noll
Merel R. Black
