Baptisia australis

Upright perennial with clover-like, bluish-green leaves. Purple-blue, lupine-like flowers on erect spikes in spring. Inflated seed pods which turn charcoal black when ripe. Once used by children as rattles, and are great for dried flower arrangements. Occurs naturally in rich woods, and along streambanks from Pennsylvania south to North Carolina and Tennessee. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates drought and poor soils. Over time, plants develop slowly expanding clumps with deep and extensive root systems. The common name of false indigo refers to the use of by early American colonists as a substitutes for true indigo (genus Indigofera) in making dyes.