Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo)

Also known as White Baptisia or White False Indigo. Synonyms: Baptisia lactea, Baptisia leucantha.  White Wild Indigo is a bushy perennial with white pea-like flowers. Its leaves turn from bluish-gray to black in the fall. Clusters of black seedpods often persist through the winter, and make great addition to dried flower arrangements.  It is a deep-rooted native legume (fixes nitrogen in the soil) that can be slow to mature. It develops extensive root system with age. It attracts native bees and is a host plant for multiple butterflies. It does not grow well in shade. It prefers gravelly, sandy or well-drained loamy soils.  White Wild Indigo has a deep taproot and does not respond well to being moved. AT A GLANCE Texas native Yes Water use Medium Sun exposure Full sun to part sun Bloom color White Bloom time Spring, summer Mature height 2-5 ft Mature spread 3-4 ft Attracts Bees, butterflies Host plant Wild Indigo Duskywing, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, and Hoary Edge butterflies. Deer resistant Moderately Poisonous Toxic if ingested. Plant is unpalatable and consumption is rare except when the animal is forced to eat it, for instance in the hay. Notes Native bee and bumble bee friendly. Tolerates seasonal flooding. DISTRIBUTION MAPS  USDA MAP BONAP MAP  Present in state  Present in county and native  Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state           Not present in state  Present and rare, native in county  Previously present, now extinct  Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)