BAPTISIA australis (Blue Wild Indigo)

BAPTISIA australis (Blue Wild Indigo) is a perennial flowering plant native to central and eastern North America. It typically grows up to 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) tall and wide. The plant has a bushy, upright habit, with numerous stems that are covered in gray-green, compound leaves.

The plant produces beautiful, blue-purple, pea-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are arranged in long spikes that rise above the foliage. The plant is also known for its attractive gray-green foliage, which is composed of three-lobed, clover-like leaves. 

The leaves of Blue Wild Indigo are divided into three leaflets, each 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) long. The leaves are gray-green in color and are typically covered in fine hairs, giving them a fuzzy texture.

The flowers of Blue Wild Indigo are produced on tall, upright spikes, with each spike containing numerous small, blue-purple, pea-like flowers. The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer and are an important nectar source for bees and other pollinators. After the flowers have bloomed, Blue Wild Indigo produces small, dry pods that contain several large, round seeds.

Blue Wild Indigo is adaptable to a range of soil types and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of drought and is often found in dry, rocky habitats such as prairies and open woodlands.

The plant is commonly used in native plant landscaping and restoration projects, as it is a hardy and attractive plant that provides important habitat and food for wildlife. Overall, BAPTISIA australis is a beautiful and versatile plant that is well-suited to a variety of garden settings, from formal borders to naturalistic prairie gardens.