Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © bvanderweide (iNaturalist #455083)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Amorpha
- Species:
- Amorpha canescens
- USDA Symbol:
- AMCA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) Moths:Catocala abbreviatella, Catocala whitneyi, common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Leadplant Flower Moth (Schinia lucens), spiny looper moth (Phigalia titea), ⚠️Three-staff Underwing (Catocala amestris), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; benefits from periodic fire to reduce competition.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water) followed by cold stratification for 30-60 days.
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires scarification. | Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)