Baptisia tinctoria, commonly referred to as yellow wild indigo or horseflyweed, is a small, native perennial wildflower that yields small, vibrant yellow flowers from May to June. Growing to only two to three feet tall and wide, flowers form on dense, mounded branch tips and attract a number of pollinators including bees and butterflies. In summer, flowers begin transitioning to striking black seed pods, providing attractive interest and persisting through winter; winter seed presence makes yellow wild indigo especially valuable to migrating birds.
Well adapted to dry conditions and tolerant of poor soils, Baptisia tinctoria is a hardy species, but is not recommended for transplantation after establishment due to its deep-growing taproot. Although it is smaller than other Baptisia species, yellow wild indigo's bright flowers and dense, shrubby behavior make it an excellent addition to a variety of garden spaces.