Amorpha fruticosa, Bastard False Indigo

Amorpha fruticosa

Synonym(s)

(Amorpha curtissii, Amorpha montana)

Common Name(s)

Tall Indigo-bush, Bastard False Indego

Phonetic Spelling

ah-MOR-fah froo-tih-KOH-sah

Description

False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) is a densely branched woody shrub with a striking spring and summer floral display. The tightly packed terminal spikes are comprised of many dark purple, one-petaled flowers that bear contrasting yellow to orange anthers. Leaves are alternately arranged and pinnately compound. Leaflets are elliptic with entire margins and are oppositely arranged on the leaf stalk. The leaves give the plant a feathery appearance. Seed pods are glandular and curved.

False indigo occurs naturally in alluvial forests, wet and coastal hammocks, cypress pond edges, and along stream and river banks; it can sometimes be found in scrub as well. It attracts many pollinators and is a larval host for the Silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Southern dogface (Zerene cesonia) and Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) butterflies.

False indigo is also known as bastard indigo, bastard false indigo and desert false indigo. The genus name Amorpha comes from the Greek amorphos, or “without form,” and refers to the flowers having only one petal, unlike most flowers in the pea family.

Family

Fabaceae

Native Range

NB west to WA, south to s. FL, TX, s. CA, and Mexico. (This is from Florida stock so it is doubtful it would do well too far to the north.)

Hardiness Zone(s)

4a --to-- 9b

Lifespan

Perennial, Woody

Habitats

Riverbanks, forests, woodlands, marsh edges, occasionally in scrub

Exposure

Full Sun --to-- Part Shade

Growth Habit

Tall sparse shrub.

Soil Texture

Acid, Alkaline, Clay, Organic Rich (Humus), Organic (Muck), Sand, Well Drained

Propagation

--Seeds
--Cuttings

Moisture

Usually moist, occasional inundation --to-- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Tolerance

Tolerant of inundation with brackish water.

Salt Spray Tolerance

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Songbirds

Recommended Uses

Native Garden, Native Planting, Naturalized Area, Pollinator Gardens, Rain Garden, Restoration Projects, Showy Flowers, Stormwater Management, Woodland

Pot Size

Trade Gallon (about 3 quarts)