Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 751 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Indigofera
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: W. Trop. Africa, Tanzania to S. Africa, Indian Subcontinent to Indo-China
Description
Dye indigo, scientifically known as Indigofera tinctoria, is a significant plant revered across different cultures and regions for its vibrant and deep blue dye, historically important in the textile industry.
Belonging to the large family Fabaceae, Indigofera tinctoria thrives predominantly in regions with warm climates. Its native range spans across Western Tropical Africa, extending from Tanzania down to Southern Africa, and stretches from the Indian Subcontinent to Indo-China. This widespread distribution highlights the plant’s versatility and adaptability to various environmental conditions.
Indigofera tinctoria has been extensively documented since ancient times for its dyeing properties. The famous blue dye, indigo, is derived from the leaves of the plant. The process of extracting this dye involves fermenting the leaves, a method that has been perfected and passed down through generations. This blue dye has historically been used in various cultural artifacts, including traditional clothing and artworks, playing a crucial role in the cultural heritage of many societies.
Moreover, the plant’s contribution to agriculture cannot be overlooked. As a member of the Fabaceae family, Indigofera tinctoria is capable of nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil and promoting better growth for other crops. This makes it an invaluable plant not only for its dyeing properties but also for its role in sustainable farming practices.
The study of Indigofera tinctoria traces back to significant botanical works, such as those compiled in the “Species Plantarum” published in 1753. Authored by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this publication has meticulously documented the various plant species, including Indigofera tinctoria, providing an exceptional reference for subsequent botanical research and studies.
In summary, Dye indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is more than just a source of a historically revered dye. It is a plant of ecological importance and cultural heritage, ubiquitous in warm regions from tropical Africa to Southeast Asia, symbolizing a legacy of traditional knowledge and agricultural sustainability.
Common Names
Eng: indian indigo, true indigo, dye indigo, indigo
Deu: indigostrauch
Swe: indigo
En: Dye indigo, Indigo, Indian indigo, True indigo, Tarom, Taum, Bengal Indigo, Black Henna, Ceylon Indigo, Chinese indigo, Commercial Indigo, Digo, Dyers Indigo, East Asian Indigo Plant, Indian Maddar, Indigo Sauvage, Wild indigo
Ar: نيلة زرقاء, Nil
Az: Boyaq indiqoferası
Eu: Anil
Bn: নীল
Zh: 木蓝, 木藍
Cs: Indigovník pravý
Et: Värvi-indigopõõsas
Fi: Väri-indigo
Fr: Indigo des Indes, Indigo des teinturiers, Indigotier, Indigo Sauvage
Gl: Anil
De: Indigostrauch, Indigopflanze
He: ניל הצבעים
Hi: नील
Id: Tarum
It: Indigofera
Ja: Nanban-ai
Jv: Tarum
Kk: Индиго
Ko: 인디고페라 틴토리아
Lt: Dažinė indigažolė
Ms: Pokok Tarum
Ml: നീലയമരി
Oc: Indigòt
Fa: درخت نیل
Pl: Indygowiec barwierski
Pt: Anileiro
Ro: Planta de indigo
Ru: Индигофера красильная
Si: නිල් අවරිය
Es: Añil
Su: Tarum
Sv: Indigo
Zh-tw: 木藍
Ta: அவுரி
Th: คราม
Zh-hant: 木藍
Tr: İndigo ağacı
Vi: Chàm quả cong
Synonyms
- Anil tinctoria var. normalis (Kuntze)
- Anil tinctoria ((L.) Kuntze)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ghana (native)
- India (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Maldives (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Peru (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Benin (introduced)
- Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
- Borneo (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- Chad (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Mali (introduced)
- Maluku (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Mauritania (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- New Guinea (introduced)
- Niger (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- North Caucasus (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Oman (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Socotra (introduced)
- Somalia (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Sumatera (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jul 12, 2019 by Yuki Takayama (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by David Hinds (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2019 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Nicolas Labriet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Blein-Dezayes Chrystel (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Hyela Yaduma (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2020 by EMMANUEL BOTWE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Ari Zebari (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Nicolas Labriet (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 10, 2022 by Germain Germain Vital (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (gpl)
Taken May 11, 2012 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2019 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Sune Holt (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 29, 2022 by laurent00031 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2022 by laurent00031 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:500111-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2972043)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Indigofera tinctoria L.)