Common Name:

General Information

Indigofera taborensis is a much-branched perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody and persist[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Although Indigofera taborensis is restricted to only two provinces of Tanzania, it does not meet the thresholds for a threatened category. The population is currently believed to be stable, specimens have been collected recently and no major 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 east Africa - northwest Tanzania

Habitat

Deciduous woodland; grassland; railway; sandy soils; at elevations from 1,050 - 1,350 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is found in the wild on sandy soils and also in disturbed sites such as railways and old cultivations[]. Indigofera 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

The root is used in the treatment of chest problems[].

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[].

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