White Wild Indigo - Baptisia lactea

Baptisia lactea, also known as Baptisia leucantha, White False Indigo, or White Wild Indigo, is a perennial wildflower native to southern Michigan. It prefers full sun and loam or sandy loam, medium to dry soil. It will tolerate partial shade and medium-wet soil. Height including flower stalks can reach 4 feet. It blooms in early summer, June or July, with a spire of white, pea-shaped blossoms, very popular with bees.
 
The foliage hosts a variety of butterflies and moths, including skippers, sulphers, duskywings, prominant moths, and the Eastern-tailed Blue. The foliage and seed pods turn black in the fall, contrasting nicely with the fall colors of goldenrods, asters, and native grasses. The large seeds are sometimes eaten by birds. It has a tumleweed quality in the winter to help distribute its seed. Foliage is toxic to mamals, making it deer resistant.
 
White Wild Indigo is a long-lived species and takes several years to build enough root mass to support flowering. In partnership with soil bacteria the roots of this plant can increase soil nitrogen levels. The cut flowers, dried flowers, and seed stalks are good for flower arrangements. When flowers are left intact, White Wild Indigo pairs well with Little Bluestem, Showy and Gray Goldenrod, Evening Primrose, and Grey-headed Coneflower.
 
This plant is listed as threatened in Michigan. We do not wild-collect seed or specimens of this plant. Our seed is sourced from Michigan Wildflower Farm.