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Indigo

Flower type: Biennial (Stores water in its stem)

This big flower grows up to 2.9 feet (89 cm) tall. Its orange stems grow in bunches of 3 and are very thin and straight, and the huge, silver leaves are broad, flat with toothed edges. The leaves alternate on the stem from the base up to about halfway.

Each stem splits 2 to 8 times; a single giant flower grows at the end of each split. The flowers are 17 cm (6.7 inches) wide, with indigo petals and a light grey central disk. The flower head is largely flat with dozens of tightly layered narrow petals. They detach easily.

It has a weak scent that smells like warm cookies, and it has a modest amount of pollen; it does not cause many allergic reactions. It is pollinated by the wind, but is also particularly attractive to bees.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
The colour changes depends on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.