Baptisia

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Baptisia
Baptisia australis - false blue indigo - desc-flower front view.jpg
Baptisia australis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Sophoreae
Genus: Baptisia
Vent. (1808)
Species

27–30; see text

Synonyms [1]
  • EaplosiaRaf. (1837)
  • LasiniaRaf. (1837)
  • PericaulonRaf. (1837)
  • PodalyriaLam. (1793), nom. rej.
  • RipasiaRaf. (1837)
Flower stalk of Baptisia australis Baptisia australis Baptysja blekitna 2021-06-02 02.jpg
Flower stalk of Baptisia australis

Baptisia, commonly referred to as wild indigo or false indigo, represents a diverse genus within the legume family, Fabaceae. These flowering herbaceous perennials exhibit an array of characteristics, including pea-like flowers, blooming in the spring that eventually mature into pods, occasionally displaying an inflated form. Renowned for their enduring presence and a spectrum of colours ranging from yellow, blue and white, [2] Baptisia's captivate gardeners with their colourful stems, unique foliage, and exquisite flowers.

Contents

Native to regions spanning from the East to the Midwest of North America, Baptisia species contribute to the natural beauty of various ecosystems. Their flowers, adorned with characteristic wing and keel petals, give rise to bean-like fruit. Typically, their leaves are trifoliate, divided into three segments, often accompanied by small stipules on the petiole, which aid in species identification. [3]

The name "Baptisia" finds its origins in the Greek word "bapto", meaning "to dye" alluding to certain species historically utilized for dye production. Similarly, the common name "False Indigo" highlights the plant's historical role as a substitute for true indigo (Indigofera) from the West Indies. [4]

The cultivation of Baptisia represents one of the earliest instances of agricultural subsidies in America, underscoring its historical significance in the agricultural landscape. The species most commonly found and used in cultivation is B. australis . [3]

Species

Baptisia comprises the following species: [5] [6] [7] [8]

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status

The status of the following species is unresolved: [7]

Hybrids

It isn't uncommon to see natural crossbreeding occur. In fact, interspecific hybrids are commonly found in nature. Over the past few decades, there has been a notable surge in interest regarding the collection of wild species and, more significantly, the breeding of hybrids. [4] Organizations such as Chicagoland Grows [10] and MT. Cuba Center'a Trial Garden [11] have directed their efforts towards introducing new varieties. The following hybrids have been described: [12]

Ecology

Baptisia can be naturally found in forested habitats, particularly along woodland borders, where they can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. [2] Renowned for their resilience, Baptisia species can endure high heats, drought periods, along with notable resistance to diseases. Optimal growth conditions include full sun exposure, though certain white-flowered varieties can endure partial shade. While they prefer deep, nutrient-rich soils, Baptisia varieties exhibit tolerance to poorer soil conditions. [4]

Baptisia's flowers are known to attract a diverse array of insects, including butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Additionally this plant plays a crucial role as a larval host for several butterfly and moth species, such as the Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, Eastern Tailed Blue, Hoary Edge, Wild Indigo Dusky Wing, and Jaguar Flower Moth. These relationships highlight the diverse ways in which Baptisia contributes to the broader ecological balance. [2]

Traditional uses

Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea, commonly known as cream wild indigo, has historically served various medicinal purposes. An ointment comprising seed powder mixed with buffalo fat was applied to the stomach to alleviate colic. Additionally, root tea was previously administered for conditions such as typhoid and scarlet fever. [13] A tea, made from the leaves and stalks, was used to treat snake bites, as it has astringent and antiseptic properties, as well as to counteract mercurial salivation. [14]

Baptisia tinctoria, was commonly used by indigenous communities for its several medicinal purposes. A root tea was employed as both an emetic and purgative, while cold tea was utilized to alleviate vomiting. [13] The Mohegans of southern New England used a poultice made from the root was applied to relieve toothaches and inflammation, and the root wash was used for cuts, wounds, bruises, and sprains. [15] The tea was also applied topically to alleviate leg, arm, and stomach cramps and wounds, with additional claims of stimulating bile secretion. German studies have demonstrated that extracts from the plant stimulate the immune system, although caution is advised regarding large doses due to potential harm. [13] During the early 19th century, the U.S. Pharmacopeia included wild indigo, as doctors experimented with extracts derived from the plant to treat typhoid fever. Experimental use of root tinctures and powders resulted in symptoms resembling those of the onset of typhoid, leading practitioners of homeopathy to anticipate potential cures for the disease. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Lathyrus</i> Plant genus in the pea family Fabaceae

Lathyrus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in tropical East Africa, and 24 in temperate South America. There are annual and perennial species which may be climbing or bushy. This genus has numerous sections, including Orobus, which was once a separate genus. The genus has numerous synonyms, including Pisum, the ancient Latin name for the pea.

<i>Robinia</i> Genus of (flowering) plants

Robinia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, tribe Robinieae, native to North America. Commonly known as locusts, they are deciduous trees and shrubs growing 4–25 metres (13–82 ft) tall. The leaves are pinnate with 7–21 oval leaflets. The flowers are white or pink, in usually pendulous racemes. Many species have thorny shoots, and several have sticky hairs on the shoots.

<i>Astragalus</i> (plant) Genus of legumes

Astragalus is a large genus of over 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch, locoweed and goat's-thorn. Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but they are more vine-like than Astragalus.

<i>Amorpha</i> Genus of legumes

Amorpha is a genus of plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. All the species are native to North America, from southern Canada, most of the United States (US), and northern Mexico. They are commonly known as false indigo. The name Amorpha means "deformed" or "without form" in Greek and was given because flowers of this genus only have one petal, unlike the usual "pea-shaped" flowers of the Faboideae subfamily. Amorpha is missing the wing and keel petals.

<i>Indigofera</i> Genus of plants

Indigofera is a large genus of over 750 species of flowering plants belonging to the pea family Fabaceae. They are widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

<i>Baptisia australis</i> Species of legume

Baptisia australis, commonly known as blue wild indigo or blue false indigo, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae (legumes). It is a perennial herb native to much of central and eastern North America and is particularly common in the Midwest, but it has also been introduced well beyond its natural range. Naturally it can be found growing wild at the borders of woods, along streams or in open meadows. It often has difficulty seeding itself in its native areas due to parasitic weevils that enter the seed pods, making the number of viable seeds very low. The plant has low toxicity levels for humans.

<i>Banksia sphaerocarpa</i> Shrub or tree in the family Proteaceae widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia

Banksia sphaerocarpa, commonly known as the fox banksia or round-fruit banksia, is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia. It is generally encountered as a 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) high shrub, and is usually smaller in the north of its range. This species has narrow green leaves, and brownish, orange or yellow round flower spikes which may be seen from January to July. It is widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia, growing exclusively in sandy soils. It is usually the dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland. It is pollinated by, and is a food source for, birds, mammals, and insects.

<i>Thermopsis</i> Genus of legumes

Thermopsis is a genus of legumes, native to temperate North America and east Asia. They are herbaceous perennials and are known as goldenbanners or false-lupines.

<i>Baptisia tinctoria</i> Species of flowering plant

Baptisia tinctoria is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to eastern North America.

<i>Baptisia alba</i> Species of legume

Baptisia alba, commonly called white wild indigo or white false indigo, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family Fabaceae. It is native in central and eastern North America, and is typically found in open woodland areas and prairies with tall grasslands.

<i>Psorothamnus</i> Genus of legumes

Psorothamnus is a genus of plants in the legume family. These are shrubs and small trees. Many are known by the general common name indigo bush. Some are referred to as daleas, as this genus was once included in genus Dalea. These are generally thorny, thickly branched, strongly scented bushes. Most species bear lupinlike raceme inflorescences of bright purple legume flowers and gland-rich pods. Psorothamnus species are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus is paraphyletic and it has been proposed that the genus Psorodendron be reinstated to accommodate sections Xylodalea, Capnodendron, and Winnemucca.

<i>Astragalus lentiginosus</i> Species of plant

Astragalus lentiginosus is a species of legume native to western North America where it grows in a range of habitats. Common names include spotted locoweed and freckled milkvetch. There are a great number of wild varieties. The flower and the fruit of an individual plant are generally needed to identify the specific variety.

<i>Baptisia arachnifera</i> Species of legume

Baptisia arachnifera, commonly known as hairy rattleweed, cobwebby wild indigo, hairy wild indigo, and hairy false indigo, is an endangered species of flowering plant in the legume family. Its native habitat is limited to sandy soils in pinewoods along the coastal plain of the U.S. state of Georgia.

<i>Erynnis baptisiae</i> Species of butterfly

Erynnis baptisiae, the wild indigo duskywing, is a species of butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America from southern Ontario and New England, west to central Nebraska, and south to Georgia, the Gulf Coast, and south-central Texas.

B. australis may refer to:

This is a list of plants documented to have been traditionally used by the Cherokee, and how they are used.

<i>Baptisia bracteata</i> Species of legume

Baptisia bracteata, otherwise known as longbract wild indigo, long-bract wild indigo, long-bracted wild indigo, plains wild indigo, cream false indigo, or cream wild indigo, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae (bean) family that is native to the central and eastern United States. It is one of the earliest blooming species of Baptisia, beginning to bloom in March in certain areas of the United States. The flower clusters (racemes) spread out sideways or sprawl across the ground, unlike most other Baptisia species, which have vertical racemes.

<i>Trichapion rostrum</i> Species of weevil in the family of Brentidae

Trichapion rostrum, the baptisia seed pod weevil or wild indigo weevil, is a species of weevil in the family Brentidae.

<i>Baptisia lanceolata</i> Species of plant

Baptisia lanceolata, the gopherweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to the US states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. A perennial reaching 3 ft (1 m), it is found in dry sandy areas such as the Carolina sand hills and open piney woodlands such as the longleaf pine ecosystem. It has bright yellow pea like flowers which attract insect pollinators and bees. The Latin specific epithet lanceolata refers to the shape of the foliage.

References

  1. Baptisia Vent. Plants of the World Online . Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, False Indigo, Wild Indigo) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  3. 1 2 Armitage, Allan M. (2006). Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens. Timber Press. ISBN   9780881927603.
  4. 1 2 3 Armitage, Allan M. (2008). Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes. Champaigne, IL.: Stipes Pub Llc. pp. 188–193. ISBN   9781610583800.
  5. "ILDIS LegumeWeb entry for Baptisia". International Legume Database & Information Service. Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  6. USDA; ARS; National Genetic Resources Program. "GRIN species records of Baptisia". Germplasm Resources Information Network—(GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  7. 1 2 "The Plant List entry for Baptisia". The Plant List . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden. 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. "Baptisia". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  9. 1 2 Young AS, Chang SM, Sharitz RR (2007), "Reproductive ecology of a federally endangered legume, Baptisia arachnifera, and its more widespread congener, B. lanceolata (Fabaceae)", Am J Bot , 94 (2): 228–236, doi:10.3732/ajb.94.2.228, PMID   21642225
  10. "Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program | Chicago Botanic Garden". www.chicagobotanic.org. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  11. "Baptisia". Mt. Cuba Center. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  12. "Baptisia Vent. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  13. 1 2 3 Foster, Steven (2000). A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America (2nd ed.). New York: Peterson Field Guides. pp. 131–132. ISBN   978-0-395-98814-5.
  14. "Indigo / Baptisia". White Rabbit Institute of Healing. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  15. 1 2 Magic and Medicine of Plants. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association. 1986. p. 336.