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Definition of false indigo

false indigo

Plural:false indigos
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• noun

1

Any of various North American perennial flowering plants of the genus Baptisia in the pea family (Fabaceae), having clover-like foliage and producing tall, upright racemes of showy pea-like blossoms in shades of violet-blue, yellow, or white; historically used by Indigenous peoples and early colonists as a substitute for true indigo dye.

Example

"The garden border looked vibrant in late spring when the tall spikes of false indigo burst into deep purple bloom."


2

Any of several deciduous flowering shrubs or subshrubs of the genus Amorpha in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to North America and bearing pinnate leaves and dense, terminal spikes of small, dark purple flowers with protruding orange-gold anthers.

Example

"Along the riverbank, thickets of shrubby false indigo provided erosion control and attracted native bees to their dark violet flower spikes."

Synonyms
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Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of False indigo. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/false-indigo
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