Creeping Indigo
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Creeping Indigo Weed (Indigofera spicata)
Common Names
Also known as creeping indigo, indigo bush, lawn indigo, and trailing indigo.
Description
Creeping Indigo is a low-growing, short-lived plant with trailing stems. Its leaves are divided into 5-11 small oblong leaflets, which are hairless or slightly hairy on top and densely hairy underneath. The plant produces small pink to pinkish-orange pea-like flowers in clusters up to 10 cm long. Its narrow seed pods (15-25 mm long) grow in a backward-facing position and turn from green to dark brown as they mature.
Identification
- Stems & Leaves: Slightly flattened stems with sparse hairs. Leaves are compound, with small oblong leaflets covered in fine hairs underneath.
- Flowers: Small, pink to pinkish-orange pea-shaped flowers in elongated clusters.
- Fruits: Cylindrical seed pods that turn dark brown and grow in a backward-facing position.
Spread
Creeping Indigo spreads through seeds, which are carried by mowers, contaminated soil, water, animals, and vehicles.
Similar Species
- Indigofera circinella has curved or coiled seed pods.
- Indigofera hirsuta has upright stems with spreading hairs.
- Native species (Indigofera linnaei, Indigofera linifolia) have much smaller pods (less than 7 mm long).
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