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Indigofera suffruticosa

Mill. (1768)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Indigofera

‘inikō [iniko], indigo, upright indigo

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect shrubs to 20–25 dm tall.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaflets (7–)9–17, 10–38 mm long, 3–15 mm wide, opposite, oblong, elliptic, or sometimes elliptic–obovate. Upper surfaces glabrous to sparsely strigose; lower surfaces moderately strigose. Leaflet margins entire. Petiolate.

Flowers: Flowers in racemes 2–4 cm long, bracts caducous. Flowers papilionaceous; bracteoles absent. Calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, ca. 1.5 mm long, teeth deltate. Corolla salmon pink to red, 4–6 mm long, caducous, standard longer than broad, keel petals erect. Stamens 10; upper stamen distinct, the other 9 connate into a tube; anthers usually with explosive pollen release, apiculate. Pollen released explosively. Ovary superior; style 1, apical.

Fruit: Pods linear; strongly curved upward; 15–20(–30) mm long; 2–3 mm wide; moderately strigillose; septate between the seeds. Seeds 4–6; dark brown; 1.7–2 mm long; 1.2–1.5 mm wide.

Ploidy: 2n = 12; 16; 32

Habitat: Primarily in dry; highly disturbed areas.

Elevation Range: 3–1,160 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous or Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous or Naturalized
Kaua'i Indigenous or Naturalized
O'ahu Indigenous or Naturalized
Molokai Indigenous or Naturalized
Lana'i Indigenous or Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Indigenous or Naturalized
Maui Indigenous or Naturalized
Hawai'i Indigenous or Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • 3-1160 m
  • Description digitized by Rafael Domingo
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • St.john 1978
  • small flowers

Bibliography

Name Published In: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 2 (1768)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:676 (Ni, K, O, L, M, Ka, H); Hughes 1995:6 (Mo); St. John 1978 (status change from nat to ind/nat?, species listed as "Indigofera, Indigo" in David Nelson's journal during Cook's 3rd Voyage in 1779, no spm. known, more study needed)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Indigofera suffruticosa Kalaupapa; Kauhako crater, SW zone trail through ohe makai-halapepe forest; rim, open Preserved_Specimen erect shrub Wysong, M.L. 535 Molokai BISH 2004-12-08
2 Indigofera suffruticosa Waikiki, Honolulu Dry coral plain Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. 128 Oahu BISH 1932-07-20
3 Indigofera suffruticosa Kawaewae Common on dry hills Preserved_Specimen Plant 1.5 m. tall St.John, H. 22729 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
4 Indigofera suffruticosa where 1971 flow cut Kalapana-Kilaueau Road below Naulu Forest Occurrence at edge of lawa (survived at exact spot where Indigofera suffruticosa was killed) in dry low scrub near edge of fresh lawa flow. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 53710 Hawaii BISH 1971-04-14
5 Indigofera suffruticosa S Ridge of Kipapa Gulch, Waipio, Koolau Mts rocky grassland Preserved_Specimen Chang, I. Oahu BISH 1932-05-15
6 Indigofera suffruticosa Residence of Mr./Mrs. George Peabody. East end of Molokai. Mile 19, open valley floor Sunny seacoast location Preserved_Specimen Leggy sprawling, shruby plant, 4' tall, stem tan, woody. Leaves dull forest green. Evans, M. 13 Molokai BISH 1990-06-30
7 Indigofera suffruticosa Puuwaawaa in the 1986 burn area Pennisetum grassland. Preserved_Specimen 6' subshrub. Takeuchi, W.N. 5742 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
8 Indigofera suffruticosa Mokolii A few small plants. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 504191 Oahu BISH 2005-04-19
9 Indigofera suffruticosa Located down Chain of Craters Road about 14.8 miles toward Kalapana from intersection with Crater Rim Road; or 1.9 miles from intersection with Naulu Picnic Area Road Plant was on rough aa lawa flow with scattered Metrosideros trees at bottom of steep hill. Preserved_Specimen Shrub about 2 ft. tall. Newell, C.L. 395 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-13
10 Indigofera suffruticosa Kalamaula Game Management Area, lower part Growing in Coastal dry shrubland and Kaiwe forest. Preserved_Specimen Erect Shrub, 1.5 m. high, 1 m. circumference. Leaflets opposite, elliptic-obovate; pods in banana-like bunches; seeds dark brown, cylindrical. Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1990-11-05
11 Indigofera suffruticosa Kaalualu Bay near South Point Preserved_Specimen Herb to small shrub cut low by grazing. Flowers salmon colored, growing in pasture areas. Whistler, W.A. 51 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
12 Indigofera suffruticosa side of the road in the ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District The plant was encountered along the side of the dirt road. Growing in an exposed area. The plant was growing with yellow guava and Pluchea. Preserved_Specimen The shrub was 1.5 meters tall. Yoshida, L. 79.039 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-23
13 Indigofera suffruticosa Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Kipuka at the head of the trail towards Pohaku Paea from the midstop along Makena-Keoneoio road Pockets of vegetation in a'a lava and at roadside. In shade under Prosopis. Localised stand reaching the road. Preserved_Specimen Bushes about 1 m; in fruit. Abbott, I.A. 91.38 Maui BISH 1991-03-06
14 Indigofera suffruticosa Kalamaula Game Management Area; lower part In coastal dry shrubland and kiawe forest. Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub; 1.5 m high x 1 m circumference; leaflets opposite, elliptic-obovate: pods in banana-like bunches; seeds dark brown, cylindrical. Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1990-11-05
15 Indigofera suffruticosa Mouleia, Waianae Mts., near head of rt. branch, pahole (Kukuiula) Gulch, Wet bank in wooden gulch. Preserved_Specimen Flowers salmon pink Fosberg, F.R. 13067 Oahu BISH 1936-04-12
16 Indigofera suffruticosa Near sea level at Haena State Park In disturbed areas. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-15
17 Indigofera suffruticosa side of the road in ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District The plant is encountered along the side of the dirt road but is not common. Growing in an exposed area. The plant was growing with yellow guava and Pluchea. Preserved_Specimen The shrub was 1.5 meters tall. Yoshida, L. 79.039 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-23
18 Indigofera suffruticosa Waianae Valley, Waianae Stream along paved road below stream dry Scrub land; maybe recent burn over Preserved_Specimen Lennstrom, H. 199464 Oahu BISH 1994-02-11
19 Indigofera suffruticosa East Maui, Kipahulu Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. 34.5 Maui BISH 1934-06-01
20 Indigofera suffruticosa Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 168 Oahu BISH 1908-12-01
21 Indigofera suffruticosa Highway 34 near Camp Maluhia Preserved_Specimen Shrub to 3'. Found associated with Lantana, Leucaena and Rhychelytrum. Ishikawa, S. 318 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
22 Indigofera suffruticosa Puuwaawaa; Pennisteum grassland in teh 1986 burn area Preserved_Specimen 6; subshrub, relatively common inopen areas. Takeuchi, W.N. 5742 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
23 Indigofera suffruticosa Beside St. John Hall, University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus, Oahu Weed. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-01-25
24 Indigofera suffruticosa Miki Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 443 Lanai BISH 1929-03-12
25 Indigofera suffruticosa Kalia, Honolulu Low-land Preserved_Specimen Octavio, A.M. Oahu BISH 1929-11-24
26 Indigofera suffruticosa Waimea, Koolau Mts Preserved_Specimen Shrub, valley bottom Hume, E.P. 243 Oahu BISH 1931-10-15
27 Indigofera suffruticosa Maui County, HI, USA OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Oahu HAPI 3/25/2007
28 Indigofera suffruticosa Pali Highway and Quarry Road Preserved_Specimen flowers pink. Sparse. Smith, L.B. 3 Oahu BISH 1976-01-04
29 Indigofera suffruticosa S.E. Koolau Mts. Alna Haina, @nd Gully West side, 1/4 mi beyond end of Hao St. and C Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Flowers small, reddish; pods crowed, curved; leaves pinnate, papilionoid. Stone, B.C. 1261 Oahu BISH 1956-05-10
30 Indigofera suffruticosa Diamond Head crater Preserved_Specimen Shrub Christophersen, E. 1365 Oahu BISH 1930-05-11
31 Indigofera suffruticosa Hawaii National Park, Bird Park Road Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 ft. tall; fls. light red. Fagerlund, G.O. 265 Hawaii BISH 1943-01-27
32 Indigofera suffruticosa Wailua Homesteads, Olu Lane off of Kuamoo Rd Preserved_Specimen Pods short and curved. Lvs. Slightly grey below, dull dark-green above. Flws pink. Naturalized on roadside Tangalin, N. 1306 Kauai BISH 2007-05-28
33 Indigofera suffruticosa Manoa Campus, U.H Preserved_Specimen Small, weedy shrub with reddish flowers. Herbst, D.R. 533 Oahu BISH 1967-08-21
34 Indigofera suffruticosa About 6 km from Hilina Pali going along Puu Kaoene trail at ca 270 m Preserved_Specimen Quite common in open areas. Herat, T. 901 Hawaii BISH 1974-07-05
35 Indigofera suffruticosa P.T.B.G., Lawai Valley Preserved_Specimen Shrub with pink flowers. Native to Est Indies. Occasional. Herbst, D.R. 2257 Kauai BISH 1971-12-22
36 Indigofera suffruticosa Palolo Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 388 Oahu BISH 1920-04-25
37 Indigofera suffruticosa Along coastal and inland trail in Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Preserved_Specimen Predominantlyexotic vegetation. ARea highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Higashino, P.K. Maui BISH 1984-04-07
38 Indigofera suffruticosa In Diamond Head Crater Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1471 Oahu BISH 1931-01-01
39 Indigofera suffruticosa Ewa. Pohakupuna Rd Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Oahu BISH
40 Indigofera suffruticosa Waianae District. Lantana grove, Mt. Kalena Preserved_Specimen six foot shrub Grant, M.L. 7442 Oahu BISH 1934-09-30
41 Indigofera suffruticosa Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen A single-trunked shrub 1 meter tall. In partial shade. Flowers a blend of salmon, rose pink and lime green; odorless (morning). Lau, J. 2357 Oahu BISH 1986-05-05
42 Indigofera suffruticosa Peacock flats,. S. of Mokuleia Beach, Keaia Track Preserved_Specimen Erect Shrub up to 1.5 meters. Leaves light green. Flowers pinkish red. van Royen, P. 10200 Oahu BISH 1968-02-18
43 Indigofera suffruticosa Along Highway 132, 3mi.east of Pahoa Preserved_Specimen Associated with Cassia, Ageratum, Desmodium, and grasses. Leaves pinnately cmpd, leaflets narrowly ovate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers red. Fruits curved, terete, 1.5cm long. Ishikawa, S. 215 Hawaii BISH 1973-01-12
44 Indigofera suffruticosa East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, Cultivated area around Piilanihale Heiau in remnant Pandanus forest Preserved_Specimen Small shurb of two ft. alonog coastal cliff. Leaves dull, dark green above, grey-green below. Corolla salmon. Flynn, T.W. 2479 Maui BISH 1987-10-20
45 Indigofera suffruticosa Taluli to 1920 flow Preserved_Specimen Weed along trail. Skottsberg, C.J.F. Hawaii BISH 1926-09-20
46 Indigofera suffruticosa unknown Preserved_Specimen BISH
47 Indigofera suffruticosa Palawai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 313 Lanai BISH
48 Indigofera suffruticosa North Kona, Kaupulehu, weed on dry rocky roadside 2 miles east of Huehue Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 1831 Hawaii BISH 1948-06-23
49 Indigofera suffruticosa Kau District. Along Halape trail at ca. 810m in open grassy area. Scattered Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 823 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-29
50 Indigofera suffruticosa Pali Highway and Quarry Road Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 153 Oahu BISH 1976-08-06
51 Indigofera suffruticosa Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Livermore, K. Oahu BISH 1933-07-01
52 Indigofera suffruticosa Lihue Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 484 Kauai BISH 1916-10-04
53 Indigofera suffruticosa Palawai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 140 Lanai BISH 1913-10-10
54 Indigofera suffruticosa Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-10-07
55 Indigofera suffruticosa Kahoolawe Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Kahoolawe BISH 1913-01-01
56 Indigofera suffruticosa N Kona cliff Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
57 Indigofera suffruticosa unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1908-07-01
58 Indigofera suffruticosa In waste place, Kipapa Gulch, Waipio Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 910 Oahu BISH 1933-02-26
59 Indigofera suffruticosa Tantalus Drive Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9874 Oahu BISH 1929-09-26
60 Indigofera suffruticosa Kau district. At the beginning at Pepiau trail near Hilina Pali shelter. Growing on lava rock. ca. 2/3 m high. common Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 786 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-27
61 Indigofera suffruticosa Lanai City Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28547 Lanai BISH 1963-08-15
62 Indigofera suffruticosa Oahu Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-09-17
63 Indigofera suffruticosa Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1909-07-01
64 Indigofera suffruticosa At base of footpath/trail to Kaluiwaa (Sacred Falls), outside Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
65 Indigofera suffruticosa Punaluu Preserved_Specimen 617 Oahu BISH 1908-12-14
66 Indigofera suffruticosa Kealia trail Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 258 Oahu BISH 1982-03-25
67 Indigofera suffruticosa Punaluu Station Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 106619 Oahu BISH 1908-03-14
68 Indigofera suffruticosa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range In soil filled divot (~1 m deep) on scraped limestone. Under Vachellia farnesiana (removed). With Santalum ellipticum, Euphorbia skottsbergii var. skottsbergii, Sida falax, Leucaena leucocephala, and Waltheria indica. Preserved_Specimen Small herb-subshrub. BISH staff 52 Oahu BISH 2021-05-04
69 Indigofera suffruticosa 3.6 miles up Molokai Forest Road, W side of road. Kalamaula Game Mangament Area Lowland guava shrublands. Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub 0.5 m tall with woody stem; lvs elliptic-obovate; flwrs pinkish-red; seed pods in banana-like fashion; seeds dark brown. Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1991-08-19
70 Indigofera suffruticosa Drive to end of Hilina Pali Road and plant was on the Hilina Pali Switchback trail Very open Metrosideros-Diospyros forest Preserved_Specimen Shrub about one foot tall Newell, C.L. 255 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-02
71 Indigofera suffruticosa Hilina Pali (Escarpment) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park a. Steep arid, grassy, badly disturbed, se-facing basalt cliffs and scree-slopes of volcanic ash and boulders, with rare trees of Metrosideros collina.1000-23000 ft. 25-35 rain/year. Hilina Pali Trail. Preserved_Specimen 2-4 dm tall grazed shrub, flws. yellowish-carmine kee. Iltis, H.H. 123 Hawaii BISH 1967-06-22
72 Indigofera suffruticosa Spencer Field, Honokaa Sugar Co., Hamakua District, Hawaii Scattered in wasteland of dense Panicum Preserved_Specimen 24:-60 tall, corolla pinkish.. Tomich, P.Q. 892 Hawaii BISH 1960-02-24
73 Indigofera suffruticosa PCC Beside canal Slope 20%. Soil Rocky Loam Preserved_Specimen Grass Weeds Purple flower Ayakawa, G.T. 59 Oahu BISH 1967-05-03
74 Indigofera suffruticosa where 1971 flow cut Kalapana-Kilauea Road below Naulu Forest Occurrence Near edge of lawa flow (dead branch killed where I. tinctoria survived) Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 53711 Hawaii BISH 1971-04-14
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