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![Fabaceae : Amorpha fruticosa](https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/1129/thumbnail.jpg)
Fabaceae : Amorpha fruticosa
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Family Name
Fabaceae
Common Name
False indigo
Native American Name
Lakota: ziŋtkála tȟačháŋ
Description
Amorpha fruticosa is a deciduous perennial shrub, which has 1 to several stems growing from 1 m to 3.5 m in height, often branched, forming a bushy top. The alternate, pinnately compound leaves are stipulate (caduceus, narrowly linear 2-4 mm in length) 10 – 30 cm long with 4 – 15 pairs of emarginate leaflets. The inflorescences are solitary to clusters of densely flowered racemes 5-20 cm in length that bloom from June to August. The 5-merous calyx is fused forming a tube 2-3 mm long with broadly rounded to triangular lobes extending about 0.5 mm. The reddish-purple petals form a tube 5-6 mm long that encloses the stamens and pistil. There are 10 stamens 6-8 mm long and united at the base, with bright yellow anthers. The single pistil matures into a legume 5-7 mm by 2-3 mm. False indigo is commonly found along moist stream banks, in the open or in open woods.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Seeds mature in the autumn and can be harvested when the pods dry.
Germination: Pre-soak seeds for 12 hours in warm water and then sow early spring, or chip a small hole in the seed coat to let water enter. Be careful not to damage the fleshy cotyledons within the seed. Vegetative Propagation: Cuttings of greenwood shoots can be rooted in spring and, early summer. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth can be mad in autumn and rooted in a sheltered position outdoors becoming viable the following summer. Suckers can be dug in spring just before new growth begins.
Soils: a light well-drained sandy soil
Light: Full sun to light shade
![Fabaceae : Amorpha fruticosa](https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/1129/thumbnail.jpg)
Additional Notes
False indigo is not generally browsed. Northern Plains Indians used its straight branches for arrow shafts. The plant contains some indigo pigment and can be used to make a blue dye. Amorpha fruticosa is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c when fully dormant. A. fruticosa attracts bees and butterflies and is resistant to many insect pests.