Baptisia

/bæpˈtɪʃə/ noun

Definition

A genus of North American plants in the legume family, commonly called 'false indigo,' with blue or purple flowers.

Etymology

From Greek 'baptizein' (to dip), because the plant was traditionally used to dye fabrics by dipping them into plant extracts.

Kelly Says

Baptisia plants were used by Native Americans and early colonists to make indigo-like dyes, making them an important plant for early American textile production.

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