About Indigofera tinctoria L.
True indigo, scientifically named Indigofera tinctoria L., is a shrub that grows 1 to 2 metres (3 ft 3 in to 6 ft 7 in) tall. Depending on the climate it is grown in, it can be an annual, biennial, or perennial plant. It produces light green pinnate leaves and clusters of pink or violet flowers. The rotenoids deguelin, dehydrodeguelin, rotenol, rotenone, tephrosin, and sumatrol can all be found in Indigofera tinctoria. The native range of this species covers tropical West Africa, Tanzania to South Africa, and the Indian subcontinent to Mainland Southeast Asia. As a legume, this plant is rotated into crop fields to improve soil quality, just like other common legume crops including alfalfa and beans. It is also widely cultivated as a soil-improving groundcover.
