Family: Fabaceae
cream wild indigo, long-bracted wild indigo, plains wild indigo
[Baptisia bracteata var. glabrescens (Larisey) Isely, more...]
Merel R. Black
Mark Mittelstadt
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, 10"-32" tall, fuzzy forb; plant breaks easily when dry and is tumbled by the wind
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: yellow, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, stalks 1/2"-1 1/2" long; inflorescence a 4"-8" long, drooping cluster (raceme) with the small, permanent leaves (bracts) below the inflorescence greater than 1/2" long"; blooms May-June
Fruits: elliptical, fuzzy pod with a pointed beak
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 10"-32" tall, fuzzy forb; plant breaks easily when dry and is tumbled by the wind
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: yellow, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, stalks 1/2"-1 1/2" long; inflorescence a 4"-8" long, drooping cluster (raceme) with the small, permanent leaves (bracts) below the inflorescence greater than 1/2" long"; blooms May-June
Fruits: elliptical, fuzzy pod with a pointed beak
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7 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
Mark Mittelstadt
Kyle Steele
Merel R. Black
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Derek Anderson
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Derek Anderson
Christopher Noll