Fabaceae

creamy wild indigo

Baptisia bracteata

Other Common Names

Longbract wild indigo

Plant Type

Herbaceous Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

2 ft. tall
2.5 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought

Propagation

By seed

Plant Propagation Notes

Requires 10 day cold, moist stratification and scarification

Plant Planting Notes

24-36″ spacing. Has long trap room that can make it difficult to transplant. Direct sowing seeds in the fall or winter may be more successful.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects

Leaves

Pinnately obovate. Alternate arrgangement.

Flowers

Creamy white pea-like flower

Fruit

Legume. Blackish showy seed pods.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Dry, Medium

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Open woodlands and prairies

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Apparently Secure (G4)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Rare in the South Carolina coastal plain, uncommon in the piedmont and mountains.