Spiked Wild Indigo
Baptisia alba
Wikimedia: Eric Hunt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Baptisia
- Species:
- Baptisia alba
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Native Range
United States
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
indigo stem borer (Papaipema baptisiae), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Anthophora abrupta, Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus) Moths:Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis) Butterflies:Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouting perennial with deep taproot that survives fire and benefits from periodic burning in prairie ecosystems. Fire promotes flowering and reduces woody competition.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification followed by cold stratification significantly improves germination. Seeds have hard seed coats typical of Fabaceae family.
Propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * See www.gardenmyths.com/growing-baptisia-australis-from-seeds