Rusty Indigo
Indigofera colutea
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Hainan, India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Lesser Sunda Is., Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Indigofera
- Species:
- Indigofera colutea
- USDA Symbol:
- INCO82
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, red
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
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:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy.