Code
INDAN
Growth form
Broadleaf
Biological cycle
Perennial
Habitat
Terrestrial
INDAN
Growth form
Broadleaf
Biological cycle
Perennial
Habitat
Terrestrial
🗒 Synonyms
| No Data |
🗒 Common Names
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| French |
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📚 Overview
Description
Global description
Indigofera suffruticosa is an upright, bushy subwoody plant from 60 to 250 cm in height. taproot. The main stem, solid, is covered with a slightly rough dark brown bark. The younger branches are slightly pubescent and grooved. Imperipennate compound leaves of 4 to 5 (8) pairs of leaflets (5 to 11 cm long) slightly obovate with a slightly apiculate apex. The smooth blade is glabrous on the upper side and covered with a slight pubescence applied on the lower side which gives it a more greyish appearance. Inflorescences inserted at the base of the leaves. The flowers which open progressively from the bottom to the top are grouped in lateral clusters. The flowers are pinkish to purple and slightly pubescent. Fruits are cylindrical pods measuring approximately 1.5 cm long and 3 mm wide curved upwards, slightly pubescent and apiculate. Each pod contains 5 to 6 black cylindrical seeds.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
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Mayotte: Indigofera suffruticosa flowers and fruits from October to May.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
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| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Look Alikes
Three main species used for the production of indigo are closely related: Indigofera tinctoria L., I. suffruticosa P. Miller and I. arrecta Hochst ex A.Rich.
I. tinctoria can be confused with I. suffruticosa P. Miller, a closely related species of American origin; but the twigs of the latter are slightly angular and densely silvery-strigilate with more persistent hairs; the calyx with rather brown hairs and fruits are curved oblong pods, 10 to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide and 2 to 2.5 mm thick, containing 3 to 6 cuboid seeds.
Indigofera arrecta Hochst ex A.Rich is also a closely related species used for the production of indigo, difficult to distinguish from I. tinctoria, but for the latter the leaflets are larger and fewer and the fruits are longer containing more seeds. Indigofera arrecta is usually found at higher altitudes (1000-2000 m) the Indigofera tinctoria (below 1000 m).
I. tinctoria can be confused with I. suffruticosa P. Miller, a closely related species of American origin; but the twigs of the latter are slightly angular and densely silvery-strigilate with more persistent hairs; the calyx with rather brown hairs and fruits are curved oblong pods, 10 to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide and 2 to 2.5 mm thick, containing 3 to 6 cuboid seeds.
Indigofera arrecta Hochst ex A.Rich is also a closely related species used for the production of indigo, difficult to distinguish from I. tinctoria, but for the latter the leaflets are larger and fewer and the fruits are longer containing more seeds. Indigofera arrecta is usually found at higher altitudes (1000-2000 m) the Indigofera tinctoria (below 1000 m).
| Species | I. tinctoria | I. suffruticosa | I. arrecta |
| Hairs on the stem | thin, not dense and shortly persistent | bigger, dense and persistent | |
| Leaflets number | (3) 4-6 pairs | 4-5 (8) pairs | 3-8 (10) pairs |
| Leaflets size | 5-23 x 12-21 mm | 12-30 x 5-10 mm | 20 x 7 mm |
| Calix hairs | white | brown | brown |
| Standard | greenish | red pinkish | red pink |
| Pod size | 30-35 x 2 mm | 10-15 x 3 mm | 12-17 x 2 mm |
| Pod shape | Linear narrow | curved large | linear |
| Seeds | 8-12 | 3-8 | 4-6 |
| Elevation | < 1000 m | < 1000 m | 1000 - 2000 m |
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Ecology
Mauritius: Present in the lower regions of the island, especially in the south-west.
Mayotte: I. suffruticosa is an exotic species that growes in cool and often degraded areas, such as crops, pastures, villages and wetlands.
New Caledonia: Indigofera suffruticosa occurs in sub-humid areas where it can thrive to the point of forming monospecific stands. It is also found in some dry forests where it thrives in sparse bushes when it is not degraded by deer. Present on the shoreline and on the banks of the river.
Reunion: Grows on the stony alluvial deposits of rivers in the north and east of the island.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Miscellaneous Details
Toxicity
Like other Fabaceae, Indigofera suffruticosa is toxic to livestock, causing neuromuscular and respiratory disorders.
Like other Fabaceae, Indigofera suffruticosa is toxic to livestock, causing neuromuscular and respiratory disorders.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
Description
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Origin
Indigofera suffruticosa is native to tropical America.
Worldwide distribution
Introduced in many parts of the world as a dyeing plant, it is widely present in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Australia. This species was introduced to mascarenes in the 18th century and in New Caledonia at the beginning of the 20th century.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
Global harmfulness
Indigofera suffruticosa is considered invasive in many Pacific islands.
Local harmfulness
New Caledonia: This species remains a secondary weed of the pastures in place, however its toxicity to livestock makes it a species to be monitored. Significant infestations are rarely observed, but this may be the case after tillage for forage crop establishment.
Reunion Island: A species that occurs locally but is not considered a crop weed.
Indigofera suffruticosa is considered invasive in many Pacific islands.
Local harmfulness
New Caledonia: This species remains a secondary weed of the pastures in place, however its toxicity to livestock makes it a species to be monitored. Significant infestations are rarely observed, but this may be the case after tillage for forage crop establishment.
Reunion Island: A species that occurs locally but is not considered a crop weed.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Management
Local control
New Caledonia: Herbicide treatment may be considered against Indigofera suffruticosa in early-stage cover crops. Products based on picloram are preferred (see table for products and doses). On pastures in place, isolated individuals must be manually destroyed. In the event of a more extensive infestation, a herbicide treatment with picloram on regrowths should be applied after rotary grinding carried out during the active period and before fruiting.
New Caledonia: Herbicide treatment may be considered against Indigofera suffruticosa in early-stage cover crops. Products based on picloram are preferred (see table for products and doses). On pastures in place, isolated individuals must be manually destroyed. In the event of a more extensive infestation, a herbicide treatment with picloram on regrowths should be applied after rotary grinding carried out during the active period and before fruiting.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
References
- https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/28611
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.http://idao.cirad.fr/applications
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
Information Listing > References
- https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/28611
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.http://idao.cirad.fr/applications
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
Images
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Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Indigofera%2520suffruticosa
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Indigofera |
| Species | Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
