This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Amorpha fruticosa
  • False Indigo

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
  • 4
    Zone 4
    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 fruticosa has 0 edible uses listed
Amorpha fruticosa has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is said to contain alkaloids and be poisonous to livestock[1].

Edible uses

Notes

The crushed fruit is used as a condiment[2][3][4].

Unknown part

Condiment

Material uses

Plants have an extensive root system and are also fairly wind tolerant, they can be planted 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]. The stems are used as bedding[7]. The plant contains some indigo pigment and can be used to make a blue dye[8]. Unfortunately, the pigment is only present in very small quantities, there is not enough to harvest commercially[8].

Unknown part

Bedding
Dye
Insecticide
Oil
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Amorpha fruticosa.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Windbreak


Earth stabiliser


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow early spring in a greenhouse[9][10]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[10]. 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[9]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors. Takes 12 months[9]. Suckers in spring just before new growth begins[5]. Layering in spring .

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Amorpha fruticosa. 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[11][5]. Plants are fairly wind-resistant[5]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[11][5]. A polymorphic species, there are many named forms[12]. The flowers have a vanilla perfume[13]. Plants resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their final positions whilst small[10]. Trees only ripen their seed in fine autumns[14]. Plants are said to be immune to insect pests[5]. 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 fruticosa. 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 fruticosa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Amorpha fruticosa
Genus
Amorpha
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7][8]
Botanic
[15][12][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
4
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 [17]
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
United States, Canada
Native Environment
Riparian; gravel bars, open woods; roadsides, canyons.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
4.5 x
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




References

  1. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (32202/01/01)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (32202/01/01)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (32202/01/01)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (32202/01/01)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (32202/01/01)
  13. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (32202/01/01)
  14. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (32202/01/01)
  15. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
  16. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Lady_Bird_Johnson_Wildflower_Center
  17. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named .7FUNIQ3821146871a5daf3-ref-00000081-QINU.7F

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-50" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


"image:Amorpha fruticosa 03.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Amorpha_fruticosa&oldid=73740"
Facts about "Amorpha fruticosa"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 nameFalse Indigo +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +
Has edible useSeasoning +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageAmorpha fruticosa 03.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useBedding +, Dye +, Insecticide +, Oil + and Repellent +
Has mature height4.5 +
Has primary imageAmorpha fruticosa 03.JPG +
Has search nameamorpha fruticosa + and x +
Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
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 fruticosa +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Native to environmentRiparian; gravel bars +, Open woods; roadsides + and Canyons. +
Native to geographical rangeUnited States + and Canada +
Tolerates air pollutionNo +
Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +