Indigofera decora
J. Hort. Soc. London 1: 68. 1846.
Shrubs, glabrous. Stems erect, arching, branched, 4–20 dm; rhizomatous. Leaves 8–25 cm; stipules early-deciduous, linear, 1–2 mm; petiole 1–2.5 cm; stipels 1.5 mm; petiolules 1.5 mm; leaflets 5–15[–23], usually opposite, rarely alternate or alternate proximally and opposite distally, blades ovate-lanceolate, ovate-oblong, or lanceolate, 20–75(–100) × 10–35 mm, base cuneate to broadly cuneate, apex usually acuminate, acute, rarely obtuse and mucronate, surfaces glabrous or pubescent. Peduncles 2–4 cm. Racemes 8–15-flowered, lax, 7–8.5 cm. Pedicels 3 mm. Flowers 12–18 mm; calyx 2.5–3.5 mm, lobes triangular; corolla usually light purple or pink, rarely white. Legumes brown, pendulous, cylindric, straight, 25–65(–80) mm, leathery, glabrous. Seeds 7 or 8, brown, ellipsoidal. 2n = 48.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Nov.
Habitat: Sunny margins of pine-mixed hardwood forests.
Elevation: 150–200 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Ga., Asia (China, Japan), introduced also in Pacific Islands (New Zealand).
Discussion
Indigofera decora is cultivated as an ornamental shrub in the United States and elsewhere (M. A. Dirr 2011). It is known in the flora area only from populations in Greene County.
Selected References
None.