Baptisia tinctoria

Baptisia tinctoria (common names include yellow false indigo, wild indigo, wild-indigo and horseflyweed) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to eastern North America.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.2 m high and spreads 60 cm wide. across. It in mush branched. The leaves are like clover leaves. They are 8 cm across. The flower stalks arch over and are 10 cm long. They are small, yellow and like pea flowers.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are cooked and eaten. The roots are used in medicine.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Adaptogen Alterative Antibacterial Antiseptic Astringent Cholagogue Emetic Febrifuge Homeopathy Purgative Stimulant Wild indigo was a favourite medicine of the N. American Indians, a decoction of the roots being used as an antiseptic wash for wounds and skin complaints. Modern research has shown that this acrid bitter herb stimulates the immune system and is particularly effective against bacterial infections. Caution is advised in the internal use of this plant, large or frequent doses are potentially harmful. A tea made from the roots is cholagogue, emetic, febrifuge and purgative. The fresh root is also considered to be antiseptic, astringent and laxative. The infusion is used in the treatment of upper respiratory infections such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and is also valuable in treating infections of the chest, gastro-intestinal tract and skin.The plants antimicrobial and immune-stimulant properties combat lymphatic problems, when used with detoxifying herbs such as Arctium lappa it helps to reduce enlarged lymph nodes. Wild indigo is frequently prescribed, along with Echinacea, in the treatment of chronic viral infections or chronic fatigue syndrome. A decoction of the root soothes sore or infected nipples and infected skin conditions. When used as a mouth wash or gargle the decoction treats mouth ulcers, gum infections and sore throats. The fresh root, including the bark, is used to make a homeopathic medicine. This has a limited range of action, but is used especially in the treatment of certain types of flu.

Known Hazards

Toxicity concerns present; large or frequent doses are potentially harmful.

Distribution

It grows in well-drained sandy soil. It does best in a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Where It Grows

Australia, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America*, USA,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from ripe seed or by division.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. 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. 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.

Other Uses

Dye Repellent This species is related to the tropical plant Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) and, like that species, contains a blue dyestuff in the leaves. The dyestuff is only contained in very low concentrations, however, and a very large quantity of leaves would be required to obtain reasonable quantities of indigo. A yellow dye can also be obtained from the plant. If the growing plant is harvested and hung up, it is said to repel flies. Special Uses Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

Notes

There are about 17-20 Baptisia species. They grow in the USA. It is mainly used as a medicine.

References (9)

• W. T. Aiton, Hortus kew. ed. 2, 3:6. 1811 (e. P. Ventenat, Dec. gen. nov. 9. 1808, nom. inval.)
• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 54
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 132
• Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 140

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