Cream Wild Indigo

Baptisia bracteata  (Baptisia leucophaea)

This attractive spring perennial of the prairie produces one or, usually, several branches from its taproot; these branches arch in spreading fashion rather than standing erect.  Leaves are compounds consisting of 2 leaflets, each 1-2 inches long and less than half as wide; the leaflets have smooth edges and rather rounded ends. The flowers emerge at the ends of stems in a raceme, up to a foot long, of cream-colored flowers; these flowers are typical of the pea family and are about 1 inch long.  After blooming, the flowers yield to puffy seed pods, at first green but eventually turning dark brown or black. These persist long after the foliage has died back, often into or through the winter.

Under 2 feet, sprawling; sun.

Late Spring (May-June).

The Wild Indigo leaves are those in the top half of the picture.

25 May 2020.

Cream Wild Indigo, 25 May 2020.