This article will explain the differences between these plants as well as their uses.
True Indigo vs. False Indigo: Description
True indigo belongs to the bean family. The plant is commonly identified by its light green pinnate leaves, which cluster between four and seven sets. Like most members of the bean family, this plant can reach up to 3 feet in height and 3 feet wide. This plant forms seed pods up to 2 inches long after the petals have fallen off. More interestingly, true indigo produces either white or pink flowers. Most people assume that the indigo dye, which was used to dye blue jeans and other clothing in the past, comes from the plant’s flowers. This is inaccurate. The fact is that fermentation of the leaves containing the organic indican chemical produces the dye. During the fermentation process, the indican chemicals transform into a bluish-purple indigotin color. Blue false indigo, falls under a group of long-lived perennial plants. This wild indigo has an upright stalk and three-parted compound leaves. And it can reach a height of just over 3 feet. Unlike true indigo, the blue false indigo plant’s flowers are violet and blue colored. Moreover, its 2.5-inch long seed pods are black and have sharp pointed tips. The plant also acts as a host to many species of butterflies. False indigo has very deep tap roots, which look like black wood when dug up. If you break the roots or the glabrous stems, the herb will secrete some sap that turns dark blue when exposed to air. As it matures during the first two seasons, it blooms increasingly with dense clusters of brightly colored flowers and becomes generously showy. With attractive bluish-green foliage, it is an excellent backdrop for other flowering plants. In case you decide to grow this herb, maintenance is relatively easy, plus it will only take two years to start blooming.
True Indigo vs. False Indigo: History
True indigo is a tropical shrub that was the primary source of the blue dye commonly identified as indigo. According to most historians, this is a plant native to some parts of Africa, China, and tropical regions of Asia. Since the shrub has been in cultivation since 4,000 BCE, it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact location of its origin. That’s mainly because the introduction that took place across the globe during that era were before the period of keeping good records. During the 18th century, the shrub became a major cash crop in the Southeastern US. False indigo was used as a substitute for the costly true indigo. By 1724, false indigo was already introduced to Britain. In the 1700s, a naturalist from Williamsburg, John Clayton, listed false indigo species in the Philadelphia Nurserymen catalog. The popularity of false indigo was also fueled by the blue hue it produced, which was preferred for clothing. Because of its value, the English government encouraged massive cultivation of this plant in its colonial territories. Generally, after establishing this drought-tolerant perennial plant, its blossom is super attractive. And the foliage makes an excellent subject for a wild garden or a flower border.
True Indigo vs. False Indigo: Uses
True Indigo Uses
Historically, true indigo has been administered for a wide variety of medicinal and cosmetic reasons. Please note: A-Z Animals does not recommend plants or herbs for medicinal or health use. We present the following information for academic and historical purposes only.
Antidote for poisonTreatment for urinary problemsTopical treatment for hair lossHair colorTreating canker soresTreating dog bites — Historically, true indigo was administered to individuals who were bitten by rabid dogs. This is not an effective treatment for rabies.Remove worms from teeth and gums
Uses of False Indigo
Like true indigo, false indigo has been used in folk medicine. Again, please note that A-Z Animals does not recommend plants or herbs for medicinal or health use. We present the following information for academic and historical purposes only.
Reduce fever, congestion, and body achesBoost appetite and improve digestionTreat leucorrheaTreat tonsilitis, the common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, mucous membrane Inflammation, and feverEliminate mucus from the bodyTreat throat, ear, and nose infectionsTreat infection of the larynxTreat pharyngitisTreat influenza and diphtheriaHeal common skin conditions, wounds, and cuts
Historically, non-medicinal uses included:
Repelling flies by keeping it near farm animalsUsing the seed pods as decorations in flower arrangementsUsing it as blue dye instead of the pricey true indigo
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False indigo (baptisia australis) is a plant that dislikes being moved. Once planted and well established, their roots can grow very deep into the ground, up to lengths of 11.48 feet. With deep roots like these, the plant is practically drought-tolerant. Can you grow the indigo shrub in a pot? Yes, it is possible. However, this will limit its growth. If you must use a pot, ensure it’s at least 6 inches deep. Is it advisable to cut false indigo during the fall? When cutting, only aim for the stems. Early spring, fall, and winter are when you can cut its branches to the ground before the new shoot grows. Are indigo plants poisonous? According to research on livestock, some are very poisonous, especially the Indigofera ones. Common symptoms of indigo poisoning include; general body weakness, paralysis, spasms, and even death.
