Monday, January 26, 2015

Wild White Indigo

Photographed 17 July 2014, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of Derby, Iowa.

Baptisia alba macrophylla. This member of the bean family, native to Lucas County's moist to dry black soil prairies, usually is found in undisturbed or less disturbed habitats. Because of its deep roots it can sometimes be found after its prairie associates have been destroyed. It ranges widely north and west to southeastern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, but is uncommon.

Stalks 3-6 feet tall form sparsely branched bushes, Showy flower stalks bearing pea-like blossoms can be up to 2 feet long. Oblong seed pods then form. Blooms late spring to mid-summer.

Photographed 17 July 2104, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of Derby, Iowa.
Photographed 21 June 2014, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of Derby, Iowa

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