Indigofera cassioides

Indigofera cassioides, the cassia indigo, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, southeast and south-central China, and Taiwan, and has been introduced to Sri Lanka and Kenya. Local artisans use its leaves to produce a blue dye.

Description

An erect shrub. It grows 10-15 cm high. The young branches are hairy. The leaves have an odd number of leaflets. The leaves are 7-15 cm long. There are 11-21 leaflets. They are 1-2 cm long by 7-15 mm wide. The flowers are purple-red in colour. The fruit is a pod 2.4-4.3 cm long and about 4 mm wide. It is straight. There are 8-12 seeds.

Edible Uses

The flowers are occasionally eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are also pickled.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the roots is used to treat coughs. The root is also dried, ground into a powder and applied externally to relieve chest pains.

Distribution

It it s subtropical and tropical plant. In southern China it grows in slopes and grasslands between 300-2,000 m above sea level. In Sikkim it grows between 800-1,400 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position. Succeeds on chalk. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it probably requires greenhouse protection in all parts of the country. Plants are capable of regrowing from the base if they are cut back by winter cold, though we do not know at what temperature the roots of this plant are killed. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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.

Propagation

Pre-soak seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in February in a warm greenhouse; germination can be variable. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter young plants in the greenhouse for the first year, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5–8cm with a heel if possible, taken in July or August and placed in individual pots in a frame give a good percentage strike. Overwinter young plants under glass and plant out the following late spring or early summer. Root cuttings 3cm long taken in December also give a good percentage. Suckers can be removed during the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and planted directly into permanent positions.

Other Uses

The branches are used for fences and fuel.

Production

In China plants flower in January to March and fruit in April to June.

Notes

There are about 500-700 Indigofera species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bilhul, Cham muong, Girli, Jirhul, Kathi, Neel, Sakhina

References (11)

• Avinash, B. K., Kumar, R., et al, 2013, Ethnoboptany of Tharus of Dudhwa National Park, India. Mintage journal of Pharmaceutical & Medical Science 6-11
• Bhatia, H., et al, 2018, Traditionally used wild edible plants of district Udhampur, J&K, India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2018) 14:73
• Dangol, D. R. et al, 2017, Wild Edible Plants in Nepal. Proceedings of 2nd National Workshop on CUAOGR, 2017.
• Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37
• Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org

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