Amorpha canescens

Amorpha canescens
Inflorescence

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Amorpha
Species:
A. canescens
Binomial name
Amorpha canescens
Synonyms[2]
List
    • Amorpha brachycarpa E.J.Palmer (1931)
    • Amorpha canescens f. glabrata (A.Gray) Fassett (1936)
    • Amorpha canescens var. glabrata A.Gray (1852)
    • Amorpha canescens f. glabrescens Zabel (1903)
    • Amorpha canescens var. leptostachya A.Gray (1849)
    • Amorpha canescens var. typica C.K.Schneid. (1907)

Amorpha canescens, known as leadplant, downy indigo bush, prairie shoestring, or buffalo bellows, is a small, perennial semi-shrub in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to North America.[3][4] It has very small purple flowers with yellow stamens[5] which are grouped in racemes.[6] Depending on location, the flowers bloom from late June through mid-September.[7][5] The compound leaves of this plant appear leaden[6] (the reason for the common name "leadplant"[5]) due to their dense hairiness. The roots can grow up to 5 m (16 ft) deep and can spread up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) radially.[4] This plant can be found growing in well-drained soils of prairies, bluffs, and open woodlands.[6]

  1. ^ NatureServe (2024). "Amorpha canescens". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Amorpha canescens Pursh". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ^ Casey, P. A. (2011). "Plant Guide for leadplant (Amorpha canescens)" (PDF). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Manhattan Plant Materials Center. Manhattan, Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-02-12.
  4. ^ a b Slagle, Malinda W.; Hendrix, Stephen D. (2009-10-01). "Reproduction of Amorpha canescens (Fabaceae) and diversity of its bee community in a fragmented landscape". Oecologia. 161 (4): 813–823. Bibcode:2009Oecol.161..813S. doi:10.1007/s00442-009-1429-3. ISSN 0029-8549. PMID 19707794. S2CID 16683620.
  5. ^ a b c Gardner, Harold W. (2011). Tallgrass prairie restoration in the Midwestern and Eastern United States : A hands-on guide. New York: Springer. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-1-4419-7426-6.
  6. ^ a b c "Amorpha canescens". Native Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  7. ^ Penskar, M.R. 2008. Special Plant Abstract for leadplant (Amorpha canescens). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 4 pp.