Baptisia megacarpa Chapm. ex Torr. & A. Gray

Apalachicola Wild Indigo; Bigpod Wild Indigo

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Apalachicola Wild Indigo is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It is found in central and southeastern Alabama. Apalachicola Wild Indigo grows in dry pine and oak woods, in ravines, along streams, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with thick cord-like roots. Each crown produced 1-6 erect glabrous stems. The stems are branched above the middle and up to 3 feet in height. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and trifoliate. The leaflets are elliptic to lanceolate in outline, entire, and glabrous. Flowers are produced in terminal and axillary inflorescences. Each inflorescence has 3-25 papilionaceous flowers. The flowers range in color from pale yellow through cream. The fruit is an inflated, ellipsoid to ovoid, papery legume. Apalachicola Wild Indigo is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G2 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Apalachicola Wild Indigo is available from some wildflower nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil in full to partial sun. Once established plants are drought tolerant. It is easily grown from seed.--A. Diamond

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Native S2 (State Rank) G2 (Global Rank)

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