Texas Wildbuds
Baptisia australis
(Blue Wild Indigo)
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4696
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4701
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4708
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4718
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4723
Baptisia australis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4738
| Scientific Name | Baptisia australis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | BAAU |
| Common Name | Blue Wild Indigo, Blue False Indigo | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26468 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Moist, usually rocky or gravelly soil in open woodlands, prairies and riverbanks. Plant: Bushy perennial with usually several leafy, branching stems that are smooth, light green, sometimes grayish; 24 to 48 inches tall. Leaves: Alternate trifoliate leaves along the entire length of each stem on petioles 1/4 to 3/4-inch long; leaflets are oblanceolate to obovate, 1 to 2 inches long, 1/4 to 1 inch wide with wedge-shaped (cuneate) bases and the tips are rounded and blunt; surfaces are grayish green to bluish green and hairless. Inflorescence: Erect, loosely-flowered, long racemes, 4 to 20 inches long with pea-like flowers; indigo-blue to purple corollas about 1-inch long with a prominent banner; 10 stamens; calyx is two-lipped and smooth. Bloom Period: April and May. Fruit: Oblong pods 1 to 2-1/2 inches long and up to 3/4-inch across; dark brown to blackish, hairless and with slender beaked tips. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Illinois Wildflowers and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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