False+Indigo

__Ode to a False Indigo__ O False Indigo If any word rhymed with indigo I would rhyme it with indigo But alas, no word rhymes with indigo

Your purple flower leaf (I’ll be brief) Is trifoliate, see? There are three!

Near the top of the plant The flowers haven’t matured yet So they are small And not opened, not at all

Apologies for being a lay-man But I can’t find your stamen Oh wait! You are herbaceous So your leaves are underground. How gracious!

This poem was kind of sad. The rhyming was kind of bad. But no matter what I may say False indigo, you make my day.

__False Indigo - Scientific Information__

The blue false indigo wild flower, Baptisia australis, is found commonly in Connecticut and other neighboring Northeast states. In Midwest states like Kentucky and Ohio, it is listed as a threatened or endangered species. It belongs to the Pea family, and it is a dicotyledon because of its four-clustered arrangement of petals and netlike leaf pattern. It grows in rich woods with plenty of sunlight and water, and it flowers sometime in May to June. It can grow anywhere from two to four feet in height, and its round growth pattern makes it nonintrusive in private gardens. It is not susceptible to many diseases, so it is a very stable flower. Its bright blue and purple coloration make it an attractive option for insects and other pollinators.

__False Indigo - Article__

What’s False?

Indigo is False, also known as False Indigo or better yet to the scientists Baptisia australis. Nothing else is false about this plant except for its name. Cultivated in North America the False Indigo is found in numerous states in the North East and the Midwest. It is purple, with mesmerizing flowers. Not only is the flower intriguing, the False Indigo is a source of medicine to many people and is used in various treatments. The False Indigo is also used for cleaning out infections for those who are health conscious and wants to be one with the nature. But some other uses for it is witchcraft which is still unconfirmed by the scientists and it can be harmful to a degree such as getting a rash to vomiting. The False Indigo is also used as a charm in some practices and is used to repel flies from farm animals when attached to their tail.