Lead-plant

Amorpha canescens

By: Daniel Hughes

Classification

Kingdom PlantaeSubkingdom TracheobiontaSuperdivision SpermatophytaDivision MagnoliophytaClass MagnoliopsidaSubclass RosidaeOrder Fabales

Family Fabaceae

Genus Amorpha

Species Amorpha canescens

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AMCA6

Shape, Form, Type• The lead-plant is a little shrub

and is 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 2.5 feet wide

• The stem becomes woody with age. This member of the pea/bean family is a showy little native shrub and contains white foliage and purple flower spikes

• This makes it desirable for use in wildflower beds and butterfly gardens.

Figure 1: Lead-plant

Leaf

• The lead-plant features alternate, pinnately compound leaves that contain grayish green leaflets and densely hairy twigs.

Figure 2: Leaf of Lead-plant

Flower

• The little violet-purple flowers have a duration of 3 weeks and are great in numbers, 4 to 6 inch dense, spike-like clusters on the upper section of the stem.

Figure 3: Flower of Lead-plant

Habitat and Range

• Lead-plant is an upland species and is generally in dry sand prairies, hillside prairies, and remnant oak barren. It is usually associated with dominant prairie grasses.

Figure 4: Range map of Lead-plant

Uses

• It has been used in folk medicine and yellow tea can be made from its roots.

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