Indigofera hebepetala
| Indigofera hebepetala | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Indigofera hebepetala
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow February in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[1]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[2].
Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[1].
Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[2][3]. Succeeds on chalk[2].
Except in warm sheltered gardens the plant is cut back to the ground by winter cold, though it usually resprouts from the base and flowers in late summer[4]. Plants grow much taller in milder climates where they do not get cut back by winter cold[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
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[3].
Range: E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas.
Habitat: Shady places, 2100 - 3000 metres in Jaunsar, Uttar Pradesh[6]. Open places at elevations of 1600 - 2800 metres in Nepal[7].
Edibility: The flowers and tender fruits (probably the immature seed pods[K]) are coked as a vegetable or are pickled[7].
Usage: Used as a fuel[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.