Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN'DI-GO-PLANT, n.

Several species of the genus Indigo-fera, from which is prepared indigo. They are natives of Asia, Africa and America, and are called by the native Americans, anil. The calyx is patent; the carina of the corol is furnished with a subulate, patulous spur on each side; the legume is linear. Several species are cultivated for making indigo, of which the most important are the I. tinctoria, or common indigo-plant, the I. anil, a larger species, and the I. disperma, which furnishes the Guatimala indigo. Encyc. Miller. Edin. Encyc.