Amorpha fruiticosa
(Bastard Indigo)
Common Names and Latin Name
Bastard indigo, Bastard False Indigo, Indigo Bush, False Indigo Bush, False Indigo, and Desert False Indigo.
Amorpha fruticosa
Family
In the Fabaceae, or bean, family.
Form
It is a woody shrub that can grow to a height of fifteen feet.
Leaves
The leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. The leaflet’s margins are entire with short stalks. They are linear to elliptic in shape.
Flowers
The flowers are born in long racemes and appear in the spring and summer. The petals are a deep purple and the anthers are a bright yellow making for an unusual looking flower.
Habitat
It occurs naturally in riparian areas, and open wet forests.
Native Range
It is native to the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.
Landscape Use
In the home landscape it can be grown in full sun to part shade with average to moist soils.
Wildlife Uses
The flowers attract many pollinators.
Propagation
It can be grown from seed or transplants.