Indigofera hendecaphylla aka Creeping Indigo

Indigofera hendecaphylla is a small woody plant in the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include creeping indigo, trailing indigo, and spicate indigo. It comes from tropical and subtropical parts of the Old World. Its range spans Africa, Madagascar, and tropical Asia to New Guinea. It grows in disturbed grassland, farmed land, and waste ground. Growers also raise it in Australia and the Americas.

This shrub starts upright, then spreads along the ground with age. It reaches about 1.3–3.3 feet [0.4–1 metre] tall. Its creeping stems can reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] long. They root where their nodes touch the soil. Side branches rise above these spreading stems. The main root reaches about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] long. This low, spreading form suits its use as ground cover.

The plant grows best in warm tropical lowlands. It favours mean yearly temperatures of 16–27°C. It does well where yearly rain totals 600–1,500 millimetres. It also occurs in much wetter places. Established plants withstand some drought and shade. Dense shade slows their growth, as seen beneath old rubber trees. Clay gives the best results, but sandy soils also support growth. The stated soil pH range is 5.0–7.7. It tolerates poor soils, including those short of phosphorus. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 10–12.

Farmers grow this plant as ground cover and green manure. They use it beneath rubber, sisal, oil palm, and tea. Root bacteria form nodules and fix nitrogen from the air. These uses give it value in planted crops. People have also used its foliage to make blue indigo dye. Plants For A Future lists it as useful to wildlife. Growers can raise it from seed, which has a hard coat. Scarifying the coat and soaking the seed can help germination.

Neither food nor medicinal uses are recorded in these sources. Some strains have leaves and seeds that can severely harm the liver. They contain indospicine, a toxin dangerous to several farm animals and rabbits. Horses face a high risk because they readily eat affected plants. Small amounts can cause weakness and pregnancy loss in cattle and goats. Older records may confuse this plant with Indigofera spicata. Useful Tropical Plants treats them as separate species. It warns that older reports of poisoning likely concern Indigofera hendecaphylla.