Baptisia (False Indigo, Redneck Lupine)
Baptisia is an Eastern North American genus of prairie plants in the Fabaceae (pea family) that range from Canada south to Florida and west to Texas. The genus Baptisia made its debut in 1808, although it was not formalized until 1811 by Robert Brown. Species that had been described decades earlier under the genera sophora and crotalaria slowly began their migration into the new genus. While taxonomy in baptisia has come a long way, there are still differing opinions between taxonomic lumpers and splitters. The genus contains 16 currently recognized species. Currently, JLBG grows all but three species.
Our study of the genus baptisia was greatly aided by the 1940 Baptisia monograph, authored by the late botanist Mary Maxine Larisey, former instructor at Wellesley College. The monograph is particularly detailed, not only with species descriptions, but with locations of each population. We have made trips all across the U.S. to find and collect baptisia samples. When we travel in flower season, we collect cuttings, while later season trips are for seed collections.
Baptisia foliage is primarily trifoliate with the exception of three simple-leaf species: Baptisia arachnifera, Baptisia simplicifolia, and Baptisia perfoliata. Baptisia species come in three basic flower colors: blue, white, and yellow (creamy and bright). Thanks to natural hybrids and intentional man-made crosses, we can now enjoy a range of colors.
As of 2020, Juniper Level Botanic Garden grows over 190 different taxa of baptisia (species and hybrids), making this the largest collection of baptisia in the world. As of 2021, we have introduced 23 hybrid baptisias to the world market, making ours the worlds' largest baptisia introduction program.
The flowering time for baptisia is from late March to August, while their floral display ranges from terminal inflorescences to axillary flowers.
The Blue-Flowered Species
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Baptisia australis
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Baptisia minor
The White-Flowered Species
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Baptisia alba var. alba (Baptisia pendula) - from the South
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Baptisia alba var. macrophylla (syn: Baptisia leucantha) - from the North
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Baptisia albescens
The Creamy Yellow-Flowered Species
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Baptisia leucophaea
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Baptisia megacarpa
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Baptisia nuttalliana
The Bright Yellow-Flowered Species
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Baptisia arachnifera
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Baptisia cinera
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Baptisia lanceolata
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Baptisia perfoliata
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Baptisia simplicifolia
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Baptisia sphaerocarpa
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Baptisia tinctora
Hybrid Groups
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x bicolor (1940) - (minor x leucophaea)
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x serenae 1849 syn: x deamii (1940), B. x pinetorum (1940) - (alba x tinctoria)
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x fragilis (1940) - (alba x sphaerocarpa)
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x fulva (1940) - (albescens x perfoliata)
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x bushii (1913) syn: x intermedia (1940), B. x stricta (1940) - (leucophaea x sphaerocarpa)
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x microphylla (1840) - (perfoliata x tinctoria)
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x sulphurea (1878) (syn: x variicolor 1996) - (minor x sphaerocarpa)
Below is a list of JLBG/PDN Baptisia introductions
alba 'Waynes World' 2005
Angelina (2009-058) 2020
Aspiring (2014-410) 2021
Blonde Bombshell (2007-178) 2014
Blue Bunchkin (2012-112) 2021
Blue Candleabra (2008-091) 2018
Blue Towers (2004-157) 2014
Cherry Pie (2008-143) 2019
Chrysalis (2007-026) 2020
Cinnamon Candles (2007-156) 2018
Cloud 9 (2006-172) 2020
Dark Net (2006-161) 2017
First Blush (2004-113) 2018
Ivory Towers (2004-136) 2017
Lavender Candles (2004-208) 2024
leucophaea 'Butterball' 2008
Lighthouse (2007-042) 2022
Lightning Rods (2013-129) 2021
minor 'Blue Bonnet' 2015
minor 'Blue Peals' 2005
perfoliata 'Flying Saucers' 2020
perfoliata 'Survivor' 2005
Pink Ice (2006-200) 2019
Purple Reign (2013-009) 2024
Purpliscious 2014-021 2022
Royal Candles (2007-127) 2015
White Gold (2013-209) 2023
Yellow Towers (2009-068) 2017