-
Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
-
Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Indigofera australis subsp. australis
Common Name: native indigo
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Fabaceae
Form Description: Erect undershrub or shrub.
Height (m): 0.5 – 1.5
Flowers: Clusters of small pink-lilac pea flowers, occasionally white.
Fruit: Seed pod – narrow, brown, with 5-10 seeds. Seeds are grey-brown at maturity.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread and locally abundant. In sandy heaths and on hillsides in areas of light or moderate rainfall. Tolerates moderately heavy frosts and extended wet periods. Adapts to most acidic soils that are well-drained. Hardiness depends on provenance.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Useful for providing low-level shelter (up to 2m) in windbreaks. Bee attracting. Flowers provide food (pollen and nectar) for many native insects, including bees and wasps. The foliage is very palatable to sheep and wallabies, although it is reputedly toxic when flowering. Koori (mainland) uses: the roots were hammered and placed in fresh or salt water to poison fish.
Propagation Calendar
-
Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Seed shed soon after maturity.
Seed Treatment Notes
Hot water or scarification.
Germination Time
10-30 days
Cutting & Division Information
Grows readily from cuttings.