Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
- Native to:
- United States
Eric Hunt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Baptisia
- Species:
- Baptisia australis
- USDA Symbol:
- BAAU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
🛑Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) Moths:Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), Io moth (Automeris io), three-lined grapholita moth (Grapholita tristrigana) 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:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep taproot after fire. Historically maintained by prairie fires in native range.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open areas with full sun
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification with sandpaper or hot water treatment improves germination. Seeds have hard coat typical of legumes.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified
Establishment: B. austrailis is found in non forested areas within temperate deciduous forests of North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
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