Indigofera hirsuta L.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Moenge, Itimbiri River.

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Synonyms:	Anil hirsuta hirsuta (L.) Kuntze Astragalus spicatus Burm. ex Guill. & Perr. Hedysarum coccineum Zipp. ex Miq. Indigofera angustifolia Blanco Indigofera barbata Desv. Indigofera ferruginea Schumach. & Thonn. Indigofera fusca G.Don Indigofera hirsuta L. var. pumila Welw. ex Baker Indigofera hirta Bojer Indigofera indica Mill. Indigofera rhodosantha Zipp. ex Miq.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:
Type location:	Sri Lanka
Notes:	This species is similar to Indigofera astragalina. That species differs in more pairs of lateral leaflets and a narrower, elliptic-lanceolate terminal leaflet; longer petioles, much shorter peduncles and somewhat wider pods with fewer seeds. The flowers are usually a less bright pink with a paler, whitish standard.
Derivation of specific name:	hirsuta: covered with long, moderately stiff and not interwoven hairs; hirsute
Habitat:	Mainly in disturbed grassland and open woodland, on roadsides and old cultivated land.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 1300 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in Tropical Africa, Tropical Asia and Northeast Australia. Also in South and Central America, where it may be introduced.
National distribution:
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Friday 21 March 2025
Literature:	Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 44 - 45. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 21. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 69. Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 221. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 48. Schrire, B.D. (2012). Papilionoideae-Indigofereae Flora Zambesiaca 3(4) Pages 78 - 79. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 67.

Other sources of information about Indigofera hirsuta:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Indigofera hirsuta
Flora of Malawi: Indigofera hirsuta
Flora of Mozambique: Indigofera hirsuta
Flora of Zambia: Indigofera hirsuta
Flora of Zimbabwe: Indigofera hirsuta

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Indigofera hirsuta
African Plant Database: Indigofera hirsuta
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Indigofera hirsuta
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Indigofera hirsuta
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Indigofera hirsuta
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Indigofera hirsuta
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Indigofera hirsuta
JSTOR Plant Science: Indigofera hirsuta
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Indigofera hirsuta
Plants of the World Online: Indigofera hirsuta
Tropicos: Indigofera hirsuta
Wikipedia: Indigofera hirsuta