Baptisia tinctoria: Uses (Ethnobotany)
Indigeous people used this plant to make dyes though they were inferior to the dyes made with plants from the Indigofera genus. Blue dye came from the leaves and yellow from the flowers.
Plant Profile: Baptisia tinctoria
Taxonomy: Baptisia tinctoriaNames
Horseflyweed, Rattleweed, Shoofly, Wild Black Indigo, Wild Indigo, Yellow Wild Indigo
Phonetic Spelling:bap-TEE-zee-uh tink-TOR-ee-ah
Genus:Baptisia
Species:tinctoria
Family:Fabaceae
Wild indigo is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial belonging to the Fabaceae family.
**Ideal Planting Locations:** This plant thrives in woodland, cottage, native, or meadow gardens, whether as a standalone specimen or in small clusters. However, it may not be the best option for a prominent position in your garden due to its understated appearance. It prefers full sun, which allows it to flourish, and once established, it should not be relocated.
**Propagation and Pruning Advice:** Growing wild indigo from seeds can be somewhat difficult. If you are not concerned about preserving the seed pods, feel free to prune the plant as needed.
**Scientific and Common Names:** Often referred to as rattleweed due to the sound of its mature pods, the Latin name "Tintoria" translates to "dye," highlighting the plant's historical use in dye production.
**Pest and Disease Resistance:** This plant is generally resilient, facing minimal issues with insects or diseases.
**Fire Safety Rating:** Wild indigo has a medium flammability rating.
**Seasonal Highlights:**
- **Blooming Period:** Late spring to early summer (May to June)
- **Seed Development:** Late summer to fall
Baptisia tinctoria Feature Summary
Baptisia tinctoria Image Gallery
Tags
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#yellow
#full sun tolerant
#drought tolerant
#cream
#specimen
#easy to grow
#wildlife plant
#showy
#yellow flowers
#native perennial
#nectar plant
#tough plant
#low maintenance
#fall interest
#cottage garden
#erosion control
#showy fruits
#disease resistant
#fire
#medium flammability
#NC native
#pest resistant
#dye plant
#deer resistant
#cream flowers
#herbaceous perennial
#native garden
#long lifespan
#fall fruits
#native wildflower
#late spring flowers
#dried arrangements
#poor soils tolerant
#larval host plant
#food source summer
#prairies
#food source fall
#early summer flowers
#NC Native Pollinator Plant
#dried fruits
#Wild Indigo Duskywing
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#forest farming
#Duskywing butterflies
#dry soils tolerant
#butterfly friendly
#partial shade tolerant
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#yellow dye
#audubon
#erosion tolerant
#meadows
#woodlands
#blue dye
Similar Plants
Baptisia tinctoria Feature Summary
Attributes
Indigeous people used this plant to make dyes though they were inferior to the dyes made with plants from the Indigofera genus. Blue dye came from the leaves and yellow from the flowers.
South Eastern Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
This plant is a larval host to Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars which have several broods and appear from April through November in the north and throughout the year in the deep south and Mexico. Flower nectars are attractive to bees and adult Pearl Crescent butterflies.
Deer damage, drought, poor and dry soils, and works well when planted to manage erosion
Perennial
Wildlife Food Source
Attracts Pollinators
medium flammability
Fruit
Inflated seed pods are seen from July to November. They come after the flowers have bloomed. They are ripe when black, and the pod sounds like a rattle because of the seeds inside. Some people like the looks of the seed pods for ornamental interest.
Legume
Black
Showy
Good Dried
Summer
Fall
Flowers
Flowers are only up to 0.5 inches long (though racemes can be up to 4-5 inches). Blooms from April to August. After the flowers bloom, the seed pods come.
Gold/Yellow
Cream/Tan
Raceme
Spring
Summer
< 1 inch
Leaves
Grayish green leaves are under the stem in a mound. The trifoliate leaves look like clovers, and the whole leaflet is only up to 1 inch long.
Deciduous
Green
Gray/Silver
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Entire
Stem
The stem is between the leaf mound and the flowers that are on the upper part of the stem.
Green
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Herbaceous Perennial
Native Plant
Wildflower
Deciduous
Erect
Clumping
Low
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Less than 12 inches
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
9a
9b
Sand
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Border
Small groups
Specimen
Drought
Deer
Insect Pests
Dry Soil
Diseases
Erosion
Poor Soil
Woodland
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Bees
Baptisia tinctoria Image Gallery
Baptisia tinctoria Attributes
Baptisia tinctoria: Country Or Region Of Origin
South Eastern Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
Baptisia tinctoria: Wildlife Value
This plant is a larval host to Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars which have several broods and appear from April through November in the north and throughout the year in the deep south and Mexico. Flower nectars are attractive to bees and adult Pearl Crescent butterflies.
Baptisia tinctoria: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
Deer damage, drought, poor and dry soils, and works well when planted to manage erosion
Baptisia tinctoria: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Baptisia tinctoria: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Baptisia tinctoria: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Baptisia tinctoria Fruit
Baptisia tinctoria: Fruit Description
Inflated seed pods are seen from July to November. They come after the flowers have bloomed. They are ripe when black, and the pod sounds like a rattle because of the seeds inside. Some people like the looks of the seed pods for ornamental interest.
Baptisia tinctoria: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Baptisia tinctoria: Fruit Color
Black
Baptisia tinctoria: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Baptisia tinctoria: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Baptisia tinctoria Flowers
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Description
Flowers are only up to 0.5 inches long (though racemes can be up to 4-5 inches). Blooms from April to August. After the flowers bloom, the seed pods come.
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Color
Cream/Tan
Gold/Yellow
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Baptisia tinctoria: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Baptisia tinctoria Leaves
Baptisia tinctoria: Leaf Description
Grayish green leaves are under the stem in a mound. The trifoliate leaves look like clovers, and the whole leaflet is only up to 1 inch long.
Baptisia tinctoria: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Baptisia tinctoria: Leaf Color
Gray/Silver
Green
Baptisia tinctoria: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Baptisia tinctoria: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Baptisia tinctoria: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Baptisia tinctoria Stem
Baptisia tinctoria: Stem Description
The stem is between the leaf mound and the flowers that are on the upper part of the stem.
Baptisia tinctoria: Stem Color
Green
Baptisia tinctoria: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Baptisia tinctoria Whole Plant Traits
Baptisia tinctoria: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Baptisia tinctoria: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Baptisia tinctoria: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Baptisia tinctoria: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Baptisia tinctoria Cultural Conditions
Baptisia tinctoria: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Baptisia tinctoria: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Baptisia tinctoria: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Baptisia tinctoria: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Baptisia tinctoria: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Baptisia tinctoria: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Baptisia tinctoria: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Baptisia tinctoria Landscape
Baptisia tinctoria: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Baptisia tinctoria: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Baptisia tinctoria: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Baptisia tinctoria: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Baptisia tinctoria: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
