Leadplant

Amorpha canescens

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Amorpha
Species:
Amorpha canescens

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
3-4 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Blue, Purple
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Canada: Manitoba, Ontario

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Black-spotted prominent (Dasylophia anguina), Leadplant Flower Moth (Schinia lucens), Magdalen Underwing (Catocala illecta), married underwing (Catocala nuptialis), ⚠️Three-staff Underwing (Catocala amestris)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in open prairies and rocky soils

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified

Establishment: A. canescens is found from southern Manitoba west to North Dakota and south to Illinois, Arkansas, Texas,and New Mexico.

Source: npn.rngr.net