Baptisia alba, glowing in the sun at Adena Mound Prairie, a small bit of mixed remnant (partially re-seeded and restored) open savanna.
White false indigo, a classic June-July native, this individual at the bottom was surprisingly still in bloom for the most part in late July. The top was much more fitting to what is usually the case with the phenology, a few flowers left on the inflorescence in late July.Â
Once seed fully matures and fall begins, the pods crease will partially fissure, the seeds will be somewhat sticky. The theory here is for hoof dispersal and fur dispersal; but, perhaps my favorite form of dispersal occurs much later in early winter, when the trees have dropped all of their leaves and the wind is strong. Baptisia spp. become the Midwest equivalent of tumble weed, the stem snaps and they role around, blown by wind, scattering seeds as they go.Â
As far as it goes for ecosystem benefits, Baptesia spp. are crucial for one type of butterfly, and a general host species for many others:  Eastern Tailed Blue Frosted Elfin, Clouded Sulfur,  Orange Sulfur Butterflies, and Wild Indigo Duskywing( the species most associated with obligate use). These same alkaloids that are useful for defense also are great for adding more non-spreading deer resistant plants to your garden. They are nitrogen fixers and extremely good at increasing beneficial soil structure. As a nectar species group most are critical for early nectar source in summer transitional period from ephemeral season to warm forbe season.Â
If you plan on doing native gardening(which you should do) or having a cottage garden and/or real permaculture set up, I recommend you using this plant.Â
