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

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

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

Topics: