Baptisia australis
| Baptisia australis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Baptisia australis (common name: wild indigo)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. 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[2]. 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.
Cultivation: Prefers a deep, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun[2][1]. Grows freely in a loamy soil[3]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in a rich moist soil in sun or light shade[4].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4].
A very ornamental species, but it is somewhat shy flowering in British gardens[3].
Plants have a very deep root system and dislike root disturbance, they should be left alone once they are established[2][5].
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[1].
Range: Eastern and Central N. America - Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Texas, Nebraska and Indiana.
Habitat: Rich woods and alluvial thickets, often on river banks[6].
Medicinal: Appetizer, digestive[7].
The root is antiemetic, emetic and purgative[8][9]. 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[8][9]. A poultice of the root is anti-inflammatory and is held in the mouth to treat toothaches[8].
The plant is under investigation as a potential stimulant of the immune system[8].
Usage: A blue dye is obtained from the plant[9]. No more information is given, but it is likely to be the leaves that are used[K].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Late Spring-Mid Fall
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: A report says that the plant is potentially toxic[8].
Also Known As: B. exaltata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.