False Indigo
Common Name: False Indigo
Other Names: Bastard Indigo, False Indigo Bush, Amorpha
Species Name: Amorpha fruticosa
Plant Type: Woody
Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family
Examples of False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Southeastern quarter and up the Mississippi River basin to Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Saskatchewan; in the west, it reaches central Texas, Colorado and extreme southeastern Wyoming |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
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Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Grows as tall, open shrub
- Branching primarily on upper half of plant
- Pinnately compound leaves; oblong with point at tip
- Bark smooth and light gray
Floral
- Tall columns of purple flowers; small legumes
-
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Growth Form: Shrub
- Leaf Type: Compound, 1-pinnately
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Blade Edge: Entire
- Leaf Blade Length: 15-45 centimeters (leaflets 2-5 centimeters)
-
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 1
- Flower Color:Bright purple
- Flower Timing: April and June
- Fruit Type: Legumes
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Variable |
| Habitat | Edges of lakes, along streams, and in watercourses |
| Successional Stage | Mid to late |