Amorpha canescens
| Amorpha canescens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Amorpha canescens (common name: lead plant)
Propagation: Seed - presoak for 12 hours in warm water and sow early spring in a greenhouse[1][2]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June/July in a frame. High percentage[1].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors. Takes 12 months[1].
Suckers in spring just before new growth begins[3].
Layering in spring .
Cultivation: Prefers a light well-drained sandy soil in sun or light shade[4][3]. Tolerant of poor dry soils, plants can be invasive in rich soils[3]. Wind resistant[3].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[5][3] but it frequently dies down to ground level in the winter, resprouting from the base in the following spring[6].
A very ornamental plant[4].
A deep rooted plant, it thrives best in hot, droughty seasons[7]. It only ripens its seed in fine autumns[7].
Immune to insect pests, the plant contains its own insecticide[3].
At one time this plant was supposed to indicate the presence of lead in the soil[6].
There is some confusion over the correct author of the Latin name of this plant. It is probably Pursh. as stated on the top of this sheet, but some books cite Nutt.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3].
Range: Eastern N. America - Indiana to Minnesota and Manitoba, south to Kansas and New Mexico.
Habitat: Dry sandy prairies, hills and woodland[8][3].
Edibility: An infusion of the dried leaves makes a pleasant tasting yellow-coloured tea[9][10][11][12].
Medicinal: An infusion of the leaves has been used to kill pinworms or any intestinal worms[12]. The infusion is also used to treat eczema, the report does not say it if is used internally or externally[12]. The dried and powdered leaves are applied as a salve to cuts and open wounds[12].
A decoction of the root is used to treat stomach pains[12].
A moxa of the twigs has been used in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism[12].
Usage: Plants have an extensive root system, they tolerate poor dry soils and are also wind resistant, they are used as a windbreak and also to prevent soil erosion[3].
Resinous pustules on the plant contain 'amorpha', a contact and stomachic insecticide that also acts as an insect repellent[13][3].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.