Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Baptisia

Species:

Baptisia australis var. australis

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

120 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

blue, indigo, purple

Native Range

United States

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

black

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Deep taproot allows resprouting after fire. Thrives in fire-maintained prairies and savannas with increased vigor after burns.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Scarification or hot water treatment improves germination. Seeds have hard coat typical of Fabaceae requiring mechanical or chemical scarification.

Propagation data sourced from Claude AI