Australian indigo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indigofera australis |
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The Australian indigo (Indigofera australis) is a beautiful shrub. It belongs to the legume family, also known as Fabaceae. This family includes plants like peas and beans. The name Indigofera means "bearing indigo". This is because some plants in this group were used to make a purple dye. The word australis comes from Latin. It means "southern", not "Australian". This name refers to where the plant naturally grows.
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What Does Australian Indigo Look Like?
This plant usually grows upright. It can reach up to 2 meters (7 feet) tall. Its stems are flexible and bend easily.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves are about 10 centimeters long. They are "pinnate," meaning they have smaller leaflets arranged like a feather. They feel soft and velvety to touch.
The flowers are very pretty. They come in soft purple colors, often with a pinkish tint. They grow in short spikes where the leaves meet the stem. Many flowers appear, making the stems look very colorful. They can start blooming in mid-September. They might continue to flower until November if the spring is cool.
How It Survives Fire
Australian indigo can grow back after a fire. It can sprout new shoots from its roots. This helps it survive in areas where bushfires happen.
Where Does Australian Indigo Grow?
Indigofera australis is very common in Australia. You can find it in many different places. It grows mainly in open woodlands and Eucalyptus forests. It also lives in deserts and on the edges of rainforests. This plant is found across southern Australia. Its range stretches from southeastern Western Australia to northeastern Queensland.
Why Is This Plant Important for Wildlife?
Australian indigo is a great plant for local wildlife. Its flowers provide pollen and nectar. This food source attracts many native insects. These include different types of bees and wasps.
Food for Butterflies
This plant is also a very important food source for butterfly caterpillars. Caterpillars are the young forms of butterflies. They eat the leaves of specific plants to grow. Some butterflies that use Australian indigo are:
- Freyeria trochylus – known as the "Grass Jewel"
- Eurema hecabe – called the "Common Grass Yellow"
- Lampides boeticus – known as the "Long-tailed Pea Blue"
- Zizina labradus – called the "Common Grass-blue"
How People Use Australian Indigo
Australian indigo has beautiful flowers. It can also grow well in many different places. This makes it a good plant for gardens in Australia.
Traditional Uses
The Aboriginal people traditionally used this plant. They would crush the leaves. Then they added them to water. This mixture was used to stun or kill fish and eels. This made fishing easier.
Natural Dye
The leaves and stems of the plant can also be used to make a dye. They produce a yellow-fawn color. This dye works best when used with a substance called alum. Alum helps the dye stick to fabric.
Images for kids
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Australian indigo growing at Eastwood, New South Wales
