BAPTISIA australis (Blue False Indigo)

Blue false indigo is an upright perennial which typically grows 3-4' tall and occurs in rich woods, thickets and along streambanks.  It features purple, lupine-like flowers in erect racemes (to 12") atop flower spikes extending well above a foliage mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves. Blooms in spring.  Flowers give way to inflated seed pods (to 2.5" long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. Seeds rattle around in the blackened pods.  Stems with seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements. Common name refers to the use of this plant by early Americans as a substitute for true indigo (genus Indigofera of the West Indies) in making blue dyes.