Common Name:

General Information

Indigofera conjugata is a perennial plant with procumbent, erect or spreading stems up to 50cm long growing from a stout, woody rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a dye.
Indigofera conjugata is widespread and common in west and central tropical Africa. The population is currently believed to be stable and no real threats are known at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Guinea to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania, but avoiding areas of higher rainfall

Habitat

Short grassland; roadsides; cultivated areas; wooded grassland with Combretum etc.; sand or sandy soils; bush after burning; at elevations from 800 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Indigoera species generally grow best in a sunny position, preferring a well-drained but moist soil[]. Many of the species will also succeed in drier conditions and in poor soils.
We have seen no specific information for this species, but most members of the genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plant is used for dyes, stains and inks[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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