This plant is a legume and its roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules on them. It is useful on nutrient poor soils. Baptisia simplicifolia is a Florida endemic and is listed as Threatened by the FDACS. Treat as a small shrub even though this is not woody or use as a background plant in a wildflower garden.

Based on the BONAP range map, this species is a "near endemic" -- it occurs only in the panhandle and a 3 counties in southern Alabama. At this time, the Florida Plant Atlas shows two outlying collections.  One (Alachua County) appears to have been removed by the herbarium that "has" the specimen, the other (St. Lucie County) is a 1980 literature citation with apparently no specimen.   Neither is shown on our map. Bog gardens, sunny areas with moist soil.  Only likely to be noticed when blooming.

It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida and as critically imperiled in South Florida by The Institute for Regional Conservation. Specimen shrub. Foliage is shiny, attractive. Grown mostly for its interesting, translucent fruits.