Species PlantsWhite Wild Indigo

White Wild Indigo

Baptisia alba

UncommonPlant
Illustration of White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba)

White Wild Indigo is a native prairie legume bearing spikes of pure white pea-like flowers on tall, candelabra-like branching stems in late spring. Native to prairies and open woodlands of the eastern and central United States, it grows 3–5 feet tall and develops an imposing presence with age. The blue-black seed pods persist through winter providing structural interest. White Wild Indigo is a nitrogen-fixer and hosts specialist skipper butterflies.

Habitat
Found in dry to moist prairies, open woodlands, and disturbed areas in the eastern United States.
Diet
Host plant for wild indigo duskywing skipper; flowers visited by bumblebees and sphinx moths.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a White Wild Indigo

The best time to see a White Wild Indigo is April–June, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,246 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a White Wild Indigo? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent White Wild Indigo sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a White Wild Indigo? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a White Wild Indigo is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

White Wild Indigo
White Wild Indigo
Baptisia leucantha
White Wood Aster
White Wood Aster
Eurybia divaricata
White-flowered Rhododendron
White-flowered Rhododendron
Rhododendron albiflorum
White-tinged Sedge
White-tinged Sedge
Carex albicans
White-topped Pitcher Plant
White-topped Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia leucophylla
Whitebark Pine
Whitebark Pine
Pinus albicaulis
Whorled Milkweed
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
Whorled Milkwort
Whorled Milkwort
Polygala verticillata