Common Name:

General Information

Indigofera trita is an erect perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base, and persist. It usually grows from 0.5 - 2 metres tall, sometimes adopting a more scrambling habit when it can reach up to 5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and soap. It is sometimes used as a green manure and is often grown as an ornamental[].
Indigofera trita is a very widespread species with a large population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widely distributed through tropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, through tropical Asia to Australia. Also in tropical America, probably not native

Habitat

Grassy localities, scrub, wastelands, savannah and open forests. It occurs in secondary vegetation, is a weed of disturbed ground and often invasive[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Indigofera trita is a very widespread species in the tropics, where it can be found in a range of climates from deserts with less than 430mm of mean annual rainfall, through savannah to tropical monsoon climate[].
Found in the wild on cracking clay, rich loamy or sandy soils on open plains or amongst rocks of various types[]
Indigofera trita behaves as a weed on disturbed ground and is often invasive even in areas within its native distribution range. The species is included in the Global Compendium of Weeds, and it is also listed as invasive in India and as a weedy species in areas of Africa and Australia[].
A widespread and very variable species, there are several recognised varieties[].
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

None known

Medicinal

The seeds are used to make a nutrient rich tonic in India[, , ].

The whole plant is used in the treatment of various ailments, including liver disorders and tumours[].

Antimicrobial properties which might be associated with the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, phytosterols and alkaloids have been reported[].
An ethanol extract of the whole plant has shown a strong hepatoprotective activity and this is believed to be, at least in part, due to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the plant[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes used as a green manure and cover crop[].

Other Uses

The plant contains a soapy principle in considerable quantities[].

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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