Native Plants of the Great Lakes
North Branch Restoration Project:
Native Plant and Seed Collection
Baptisia Leucophaea / Family:
Fabaceae
Cream Wild Indigo, Swink/Wilhelm #10
FLOWERING: Early May - Mid-June.
SEED TIMING: August - September.
HABITAT: Mesic to dry prairies, oak openings.
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: 1 - 2.5 feet high. Sprawling, almost
shrubby looking large plant. Has two to twelve finely pubescent
thick stems which are highly branched and widely spread. Leaves are
sessile, finely pubescent and have three leaflets. Two large
stipules give the appearance of leaflets. The inflorescence consists
of a horizontal to drooping raceme of large cream-yellow pea
flowers. Blooms earlier than Baptisia leucantha.
TO PICK: Black, pecan-sized, hard-shelled pods are finely
pubescent with long pointed beaks. Pick whole pod. Remove seeds from
pods to prevent further predation by larve or weevils which are
often present inside. |
