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Amorpha canescens
  • Lead Plant

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Amorpha canescens has 0 edible uses listed
Amorpha canescens has 0 material uses listed
Amorpha canescens has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

An infusion of the dried leaves makes a pleasant tasting yellow-coloured tea[1][2][3][4].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

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[5]. Resinous pustules on the plant contain 'amorpha', a contact and stomachic insecticide that also acts as an insect repellent[6][5].

Unknown part

Insecticide
Oil
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An infusion of the leaves has been used to kill pinworms or any intestinal worms[4]. The infusion is also used to treat eczema, the report does not say it if is used internally or externally[4]. The dried and powdered leaves are applied as a salve to cuts and open wounds[4].

A decoction of the root is used to treat stomach pains[4].

A moxa of the twigs has been used in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism[4].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Miscellany
Salve
Skin
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Windbreak


Earth stabiliser


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - presoak for 12 hours in warm water and sow early spring in a greenhouse[7][8]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[8]. 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[7]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors. Takes 12 months[7]. Suckers in spring just before new growth begins[5].

Layering in spring .

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Amorpha canescens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light well-drained sandy soil in sun or light shade[9][5]. Tolerant of poor dry soils, plants can be invasive in rich soils[5]. Wind resistant[5].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[10][5] but it frequently dies down to ground level in the winter, resprouting from the base in the following spring[11]. A very ornamental plant[9]. A deep rooted plant, it thrives best in hot, droughty seasons[12]. It only ripens its seed in fine autumns[12]. Immune to insect pests, the plant contains its own insecticide[5]. At one time this plant was supposed to indicate the presence of lead in the soil[11]. 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[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Amorpha canescens. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Amorpha canescens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Amorpha canescens
Genus
Amorpha
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[4]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6]
Botanic
[12][13][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Windbreak, Earth stabiliser, Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
1.2 x 1.5 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Amorpha canescens1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  5. ? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  10. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  13. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Amorpha_canescens&oldid=75037"
Facts about "Amorpha canescens"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
Belongs to genusAmorpha +
Functions asWindbreak +, Earth stabiliser + and Nitrogen fixer +
Has common nameLead Plant +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +
Has edible useTea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone2 +
Has imageAmorpha canescens1.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useInsecticide +, Oil + and Repellent +
Has mature height1.2 +
Has mature width1.5 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Miscellany +, Salve +, Skin + and Stomachic +
Has primary imageAmorpha canescens1.jpg +
Has search nameamorpha canescens + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameAmorpha canescens +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +