Prairie Shoestring (Amorpha canescens)

Also called lead plant, Amorpha canescens is one of the few, true shrubs of the prairie. This North American native is in the pea family (Fabaceae) and also has the common names of downy indigo bush and buffalo bellows). The nitrogen fixing properties of this plant make it tough in leaner soils. The pioneers had trouble plowing through the root system of this plant that is both tough and extensive - sometimes reaching down up to 15’ beneath ground. Hardy in zones 2-8, this woody plant will typically get 24-36” in height with a similar width. The ashy-grey foliage (bipinnately compound) is quite striking and created by very fine hairs on the leaves and stems. Full sun is ideal for Amorpha canescens although specimens in part sun will do fine but will be leggy and flop towards the light with less flowering. Late summer flowers are purple-blue in appearance with individual flowers only having single petals but very colorful stamens and anthers. The flower cluster (raceme) extends 4-8” in showy spikes lasting for 3-5 weeks. Resistant to deer this plant can tolerate drought as well as poor soils (including clay). Valuable for pollinators, this native is excellent for naturalizing and its deep root system allows for resurgence after fire and other disturbance. Do not cut this plant back in the winter months or spring as it is a true woody. It gets the name lead plant due to the fact that an old belief was the the presence of this plant indicated lead in the ground.