Baptisia lactea (White Wild Indigo) 6-pack
White wild indigo Description:
Baptisia lactea, commonly known as White Wild Indigo or White False Indigo, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to the central and eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and spreads to about 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) wide. The plant has a deep taproot and a branching root system, which makes it drought-tolerant and helps it stabilize soil.
The leaves of the Baptisia lactea plant are compound, measuring about 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) in length, and consist of three leaflets that are oval to elliptical in shape. The leaves are bluish-green in color and have a slightly waxy texture.
Baptisia lactea produces tall, upright spikes of white flowers from late spring to early summer. The flowers are pea-like in shape and are arranged in racemes at the top of the stem. They are followed by flattened, brown seed pods that can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length. The plant is an important host plant for the larvae of several butterfly species, including the wild indigo duskywing and zarucco duskywing.
Overall, Baptisia lactea is an important plant for prairie restoration and is commonly used in landscaping as an ornamental plant. The plant is also known for its medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including respiratory infections and skin disorders. Baptisia lactea is also a legume, which means it can fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil fertility.
Native Range:
White wild indigo has a smaller range in Minnesota than most of the plants we carry - it's native range is in a handful of counties in Southeastern portions of Minnesota. That aside, the plant can be found natively growing in most of the Midwest and Southward to Texas.
Standard Plant Information:
Plant Height: 2' - 4'
Bloom Time: May - July
Preferred Habitat: Does well in full sun. Often found in dry to average moisture prairies, savannas, and open woods.