False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa

False Indigo is a deciduous native shrub in the Fabaceae (bean) family.  It is typically found growing in moist open woodlands, roadsides, canyons, floodplains, gravel bars, stream and pond banks, and along swamp edges.  The genus name Amorpha is Greek for amorphos which means formless or deformed, and refers to the flowers which having only one petal are very different from other members of the pea family.

Plant in the full sun to partial shade moist to dry soil.  It is tolerant of a large range of soil types.  

The pinnately compound leaves are clustered on the upper third of the plant and give it a fine texture and an airy appearance.  It spreads easily by seeds and suckers, and can form dense thickets.  The horizontal growth creates a situation where its spread will often be greater than its height.  

Use this plant in a woodland or bog garden, along a pond margin or stream bank.  It looks best when grouped in mass plantings.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Typically has no serious disease or insect issues.  Leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust, and twig canker are diseases that may have some effect on the plants' overall health. 

VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.