Perennial of the Month-- April 2004 
Perennial of the Month-- April 2004
(bap-tease' ee-ah sfair-O-car' pah) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)
Common name: Screaming Yellow baptisia/ false indigo
Family: Fabaceae, Bean or Pea
Height x width: 3' (to 5' in the south or under ideal conditions) x 3'
Growth rate; habit: slow, upright mound
Foliage: alternate, yellow-green, 3-parted compound leaves, some with stipules (small, leaf-like structures) as leaf bases, leaflets 1 ½" and ovate to oblanceolate; thick stems to ½" across
Flowers: yellow pea-like 1" flowers in spring, in terminal racemes (spikes) generally 6-9" but up to 12" long; up to 4 weeks bloom late April/early May south or mid-late June north
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9
Soil: well-drained, prefers deep and rich, tolerates poor and sandy
Light: sun, may tolerate part shade south
Pests and problems: none serious
Landscape habit, uses: herbaceous shrub in borders, specimen, nice 1-2" blackish pods with seeds rattling inside add nice fall interest
Other interest: species native to southern U.S.(TX, OK, AR); genus name from Greek bapto meaning to dip, refering to past use by early Americans as substitute dye for indigo; this culivar selected by Larry Lowman, Ridgecrest Nursery, Wynne AR
Other culture: place well as resents transplanting, deeply rooted; may need staking if not in full sun
Propagation: seeds most common, division
Sources: local and mail-order specialty nurseries or complete garden centers, Plant Delights Nursery, New England Wildflower Society