Tephrosia purpurea, commonly known as Wild Indigo or Purple Tephrosia, is a perennial herb native to tropical and subtropical regions across Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It thrives in a variety of habitats such as open woodlands, grasslands, and along roadsides, often in poor and disturbed soils. The plant typically grows up to 7 feet tall and features compound leaves with leaflets that are oblong or lance-shaped, often with a trowel-like appearance and serrated margins. Purple Tephrosia blooms with pink to purple flowers, which are less showy and appear in elongated clusters during the warm season.

Wild Indigo is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which enriches the soil, making it a useful green manure in agricultural practices. It is also employed in traditional medicine for its purported therapeutic properties, including the treatment of leprosy and ulcers. In cultivation, it requires minimal care, tolerating drought and poor soil conditions, and prefers full sun to partial shade. However, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range due to its robust growth and ability to self-seed. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0