Amorpha nana
Dwarf Indigobush
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Amorpha genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Amorpha
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
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.
The plant has been used as a snuff in the treatment of catarrh[4].
- Product or use
- Expectorant
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The resinous pustules on some species yield the insecticide 'amorpha'[2]. The plant has a strong spreading root system and this makes it useful for controlling soil erosion[2].
- Product or use
- Insecticide
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Minnesota to the Rocky Mountains.
- Habitat
- Dry prairies in S. Manitoba[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- 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[5][1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[1]. 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[5]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors. Takes 12 months[5]. Suckers in spring just before new growth begins[2]. 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[2]. Fairly wind-resistant[2]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[2]. Plants resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their final positions whilst small[1]. Plants are said to be immune to insect pests[2]. Flowers are produced on the current season's growth[2]. 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[2].
References
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-660-00025-3
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00