wild indigo

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Baptisia, of the legume family, especially B. tinctoria, having yellow flowers.

wild indigo

noun

1. any of several North American leguminous plants of the genus Baptisia, esp B. tinctoria, which has yellow flowers and three-lobed leaves

Word History and Origins

Origin of wild indigo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Example Sentences

As summer comes, white wild indigo, prairie dock and sky blue aster will hug the landscape.

From Washington Times

North Texas includes showy evening primrose, fleabane and wild indigo.

From Washington Times

A variety of so-called long-tubed flowers, including penstemon, Indian paintbrush, clover, wild indigo, monkshood, bluebell, snapdragon, larkspur, and foxglove, require long-tongued bumblebees for pollination.

From Science Magazine

These included the butterfly weed and the white wild indigo.

From Washington Post

For Bald Heads.—A most valuable remedy for promoting the growth of the hair is an application, once or twice a day, of wild indigo and alcohol.

From Project Gutenberg