Blue false indigo

Baptisia australis (L.) R.Br.

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

Bark, Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Sap/Juice, Seeds, Stems

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

NC State rates poison severity Low: low toxicity only if eaten in quantity; all parts are poisonous. Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Toxic principle given as baptisin and cytisine.

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

The pet verdict rests on the sources named in the source line.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Light: Full sun to part shade; best bloom in full sun (NC State Extension).
Water needs: low
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide (NC State Extension).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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