wild indigo

American  

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Baptisia, of the legume family, especially B. tinctoria, having yellow flowers.

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wild indigo British  

noun

1. any of several North American leguminous plants of the genus Baptisia, esp B. tinctoria, which has yellow flowers and three-lobed leaves

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Etymology

Origin of wild indigo

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Example Sentences

As summer comes, white wild indigo, prairie dock and sky blue aster will hug the landscape.

From Washington Times • May 23, 2020

Portuguese, Dutch and British visitors have sailed away with ginger, wild indigo, seven kinds of cinnamon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Range Management Expert Dick Whetsell can point out areas where cattle have wiped out prairie flowers, including wild indigo and blazing stars, leadplants and horsemint, prairie clover and many species of sunflowers.

From Time Magazine Archive

For Bald Heads.—A most valuable remedy for promoting the growth of the hair is an application, once or twice a day, of wild indigo and alcohol.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous

The dye was made by digging up red shank and wild indigo roots which were boiled.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Florida Narratives by Work Projects Administration