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Marcus, Joseph A.

Indigofera lindheimeriana

Indigofera lindheimeriana Scheele

Lindheimer's Indigo

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: INLI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This species is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.

From the Image Gallery

17 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TX

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Conditions Comments: A shrubby plant found on alluvial soils and limestone gravels along streams in the Texas Hill Country. The soft gray foliage has a fine texture that mixes nicely with dark greens or boldly textured plants. Perfect choice for a small shrub near a pond.

Benefit

Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Reakert's blue, Grey hairstreak, Dogface

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National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FAC			FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 1055 Collected Jun 11, 1995 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MLE-6 Collected 2009-09-01 in Terrell County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Indigofera lindheimeriana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Indigofera lindheimeriana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Indigofera lindheimeriana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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