Characteristics:
A beautiful airy shrub ranging from 4’-12’ with much of its foliage trending towards the top. Compound odd-pinnate leaves up to 12” long. Each leaf has 11-35 spiny-tiped oval leaflets up to 2” long with glandular dots and toothless margins. The tubular flowers range from purple to dark blue with yellow stamens that extend beyond a single petal are up to ⅜” each and appear in spiked racemes that can be 3-8” long. Known as an important nectar producing plant for pollinators. Fruits are roughly ⅜” and covered in resinous dots that ripen in July-August. Often forms thickets and can become a bit leggy. Often found on river banks. (MBG)
Culture:
Tolerant of occasional inundation and poor soils, Amorpha fruticosa grows in a wide range of conditions but prefers medium to wet well-drained soils in full sunlight. Spreads by self-seeding and by suckers often forming thickets. Vigorous grower in the right conditions, so be sure to monitor if spread is unwanted. Pruning in late winter or early spring can improve shrub form. (MBG)
Toxicity:
Amorpha Fruticosa contains alkaloids that are known to cause livestock sickness (USDA)
Amorpha fruticosa
False Indigo
Family: Fabaceae (Legume or Pea Family)
Type: Perennial- deciduous shrub
Height: 4’ - 12’
Spread: 6’- 15’
Bloom: Violet to dark blue, April- June
Water: Moist to medium
Sunlight: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Loam or clay-loam
Tolerates: Deer & wet soil
Propagation: Seed and rhizome