Common Name: Indigo Bush

General Information

Indigofera heterantha is a deciduous shrub producing a dense thicket of erect, scarcely-branched stems; it can grow up to 3 metres tall, but is often smaller.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of eastern Afghanistan, southern China (Xizang), Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal

Habitat

Dry sunny slopes, often forming dense scrub, and in forests; at elevations from 1,500 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Indigofera heterantha is a moderately hardy plant and, although top growth can be cut back by temperatures around -5 to -10°c, the rootstock is rather hardier and will usually be alright at temperatures down to about -15°c[]. Plants will usually resprout from the base if they are cut back by winter cold[]. Plants grow best in hot seasons with abundant sunshine, not flowering so freely in cool climates[].
Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[, ]. Succeeds on chalk[]. Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained soils[], including dry ones[, ]. Tolerates light shade[].
A very ornamental plant[]. Fast-growing when young, but slowing with age[].
The plants flower on the current years growth[] and flower more freely if they are pruned to the ground during the winter or early spring[]. They do not come into new growth until quite late in the spring[].
The flowers have a vanilla scent[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The flowers are boiled and pickled[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The branches are used in basket making and in making twig bridges[, ]. They are also used as a fuel[, ].

The heartwood is black with a white sapwood. The wood is generally hard. Although of small dimensions, the wood is occasionally used in India[].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.. Sow late winter in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, mid summer in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[].
Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[].
Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.