Practical
Plants

Amorpha canescens

Lead Plant

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Amorpha genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Amorpha
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.2 m
Spread
1.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the dried leaves makes a pleasant tasting yellow-coloured tea[4][5][7][10].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the leaves has been used to kill pinworms or any intestinal worms[10]. The infusion is also used to treat eczema, the report does not say it if is used internally or externally[10]. The dried and powdered leaves are applied as a salve to cuts and open wounds[10]. A decoction of the root is used to treat stomach pains[10]. A moxa of the twigs has been used in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants have an extensive root system, they tolerate poor dry soils and are also wind resistant, they are used as a windbreak and also to prevent soil erosion[9]. Resinous pustules on the plant contain 'amorpha', a contact and stomachic insecticide that also acts as an insect repellent[12][9].

Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Indiana to Minnesota and Manitoba, south to Kansas and New Mexico.
Habitat
Dry sandy prairies, hills and woodland[11][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - presoak for 12 hours in warm water and sow early spring in a greenhouse[13][3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June/July in a frame. High percentage[13]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors. Takes 12 months[13]. Suckers in spring just before new growth begins[9]. Layering in spring .

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light well-drained sandy soil in sun or light shade[1][9]. Tolerant of poor dry soils, plants can be invasive in rich soils[9]. Wind resistant[9]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[8][9] but it frequently dies down to ground level in the winter, resprouting from the base in the following spring[6]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A deep rooted plant, it thrives best in hot, droughty seasons[2]. It only ripens its seed in fine autumns[2]. Immune to insect pests, the plant contains its own insecticide[9]. At one time this plant was supposed to indicate the presence of lead in the soil[6]. There is some confusion over the correct author of the Latin name of this plant. It is probably Pursh. as stated on the top of this sheet, but some books cite Nutt. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  12. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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