Baptisia sphaerocarpa

yellow wild-indigo, yellow wild indigo, round wild indigo, green wild indigo, yellow wisteria, bush pea
Family

Fabaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

petiolate

Leaf Type

trifoliolate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

yellow

Flower Month

April - June

Height (meters)

0.8 - 1.0

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Warm season


Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

6

Field Characters

May be differentiated from other Baptisias by its bright yellow flowers held erect and above the foliage, its round pods and the shape of its leaves. It often hybridizes with nodding wild-indigo, producing intermediate plants. It is sometimes confused with Nuttall's wild-indigo which has flowers that are mostly axillary and is covered with fine hairs while yellow wild-indigo has flowers that are mostly terminal and have few or no hairs on the foliage.

Cultural Information

Baptisias like full sun but are tolerant of some shade. Seed is the best method to propagate this perennial. The seed pods should be collected 1 - 1 1/2 months after flowering (April-August), when they turn brown, and the seeds removed. When infected with beetles, ants or other insects, place the seeds in a plastic bag with a small piece of no-pest-strip for 2 weeks. When growing in containers, soak the seeds overnight before sowing and germinate at about 70 degrees F. When planting seeds in the ground fall to winter is best. Germination is sporatic (Phillips 1985). Stratification for 10 days and scarification improves germination (Shirley 1994, Steffen 1997). Seedlings are sensitive to overwatering and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Baptisia benefit from innoculation at planting time with an innoculant specific to Baptisia. Seed burro screens 12/64 > 8/64 x 3/8.

Animal Use

Tough and bitter, not palatable to cattle.

Natural History

The common name "wild-indigo" comes from the fact that an indigo-like dye can be produced when Baptisias are steeped in water and allowed to ferment.

Habitat

Tallgrass prairie.