Baptisia australis

Upright perennial with a foliage mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves. It has purple, lupine-like flowers on erect flower spikes in spring. Flowers give way to inflated seed pods which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. Seeds rattle around in the blackened pods which were once popularly used by children as rattles. Stems with seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements. Occurs naturally in rich woods, thickets 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. Best in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils. Over time, plants develop slowly expanding clumps with deep and extensive root systems, and should not be disturbed once established. The common name of false indigo refers to the use of certain native baptisias by early American colonists as a substitutes, albeit inferior, for true indigo (genus Indigofera) in making dyes.