White False Indigo or Prairie False Indigo Baptisia leucantha

Size: 60-150 cm (2-5 feet).

Leaves/Flowers: Leaves are oval, with three leaflets; they turn a blue-black with the first frost.

Flowers are white, pea-shaped, and numerous. They may be 2.5 cm (1 in.) long, and held in stiff erect clusters 30 cm (12 in.) long. Flowering occurs in June and July. It is a member of the legume family.

Habitat: dry-mesic prairie and open woodlands.

Range: Ontario, Michigan to Minnesota, south to Texas and Mississippi.

Use: A dark blue dye from the leaves and fruits has been used, however it is inferior in quality to the true indigo. Although poisonous if eaten, settlers and early American Indians used the plants to treat colds, fever, wounds, colic, and cuts. The seedpods were said to be used for ceremonial purposes.