Anil Indigo, Anil de pasto

Indigofera suffruticosa

Physical Characteristics

Indigofera suffruticosa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, north to the Caribbean, through Central America to Mexico, Florida

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Diaphoretic Febrifuge Vermifuge The plant finds some use in domestic medicine in Guatemala. Indigo is often applied to the stings of bees and other insects to reduce pain and inflammation, although its efficacy is somewhat doubtful[331 ]. A decoction of the roots is taken against stomach-ache[310 ]. A tincture of the roots and seeds in rum is used as a vermifuge[310 ]. The leaves are resolutive and sudorific[348 ]. An infusion of bruised leaves is used as a treatment for fever[310 ]. Combined with the leaves of Indigofera tinctoria and the bark of Phellodendron chinense, it is used as a medicine against scrofula[310 ]. The fresh leaves are used in a warm bath to act as a calmative[348 ]. The plant juice is used as a treatment for diarrhoea[310 ].

Known Hazards

An aqueous extract of the fruit has an hepatotoxic effect and causes chromosome aberrations[310 ].