Indigofera glandulosa
J.C.Wendl.
Fabaceae
Indigofera monosperma Blatt.
Psoralea leichardtii F.Muell.
Common Name:
General Information
Indigofera glandulosa is an erect perennial plant with branches that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow 10 - 75cm tall[
1496- Title
- A Revision of the Genus Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in Southeast Asia
- Publication
- Blumea 30 (1984) 89-151
- Author
- Kort I. de, Thijsse G.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a nutritive tonic. In times of need, the plant is harvested from the wild for its seed which are an emergency source of food[
1496- Title
- A Revision of the Genus Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in Southeast Asia
- Publication
- Blumea 30 (1984) 89-151
- Author
- Kort I. de, Thijsse G.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1496- Title
- A Revision of the Genus Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in Southeast Asia
- Publication
- Blumea 30 (1984) 89-151
- Author
- Kort I. de, Thijsse G.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
E. Asia - tropical India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia; northern Australia
Habitat
Periodically much desiccating heavy soils; agricultural fields, grassy localities, desiccated pools, roadsides; at elevations up to 400 metres[
1496- Title
- A Revision of the Genus Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in Southeast Asia
- Publication
- Blumea 30 (1984) 89-151
- Author
- Kort I. de, Thijsse G.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 0.50 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Indigofera species generally grow best in a sunny position, preferring a well-drained but moist soil[
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
]. Many of the species will also succeed in drier conditions and in poor soils.
This species has 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
Seeds - cooked[
]. Eaten in times of scarcity, when better foods are not available[
].
Medicinal
The seeds are used as a nutritive tonic[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1496- Title
- A Revision of the Genus Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in Southeast Asia
- Publication
- Blumea 30 (1984) 89-151
- Author
- Kort I. de, Thijsse G.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
,
1503- Title
- Indian Medicinal Planta
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
- Publisher
- Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
- Year
- 1918
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is grown as a green manure[
].
Other Uses
None known
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
