Indigo
Indigofera tinctoria, Fam. Fabaceae
Much branched hairy shrub to about 1.5m. The hairs are adpressed and attached at the middle (medifixed) which makes them rough to the touch.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Shrub |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Compound, alternate pinnate, with opposite leaflets and a single terminal leaflet. Leaflets 7-13, obovate, 10-20 x 5-15mm, sparsely hairy on lower surface. Stipules about 2mm long, more or less deciduous. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Pink |
| Flower description: | Small, pink pea flowers borne in short axillary racemes, 10-40mm long. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Almost straight squarish pods, 25-35 x 2mm, brown at maturity with 10-12 cylindrical to cubic olive to ochre coloured seeds, 2-2.5mm x 1-1.5mm. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Native of tropical Africa and south east Asia |
| Notes: | Spread by: water and contaminated soil. Invades/threats: coastal communities, open forest, disturbed areas, creek lines, roadsides and pastures. Notes: cultivated as a source for the dye indigo. Two introduced species are naturalised in this region, particularly in coastal sites, but there are also native Indigofera species so correct identification is essential, especial for managers of environmental areas. The majority of species have nitrogen fixing nodules on their roots. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
