Amorpha fruticosa
| Amorpha fruticosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 15' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Amorpha fruticosa (common name: false indigo)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then 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]. Plants are fairly wind-resistant[3].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[4][3].
A polymorphic species, there are many named forms[5]. The flowers have a vanilla perfume[6].
Plants resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their final positions whilst small[2].
Trees only ripen their seed in fine autumns[7].
Plants are said to be immune to insect pests[3].
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: Southern N. America. Locally naturalized in S. and C. Europe[8].
Habitat: River banks, rich moist thickets etc[5][4]. Grows chiefly in limestone soils[9].
Edibility: The crushed fruit is used as a condiment[10][11][12].
Usage: Plants have an extensive root system and are also fairly wind tolerant, they can be planted 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].
The stems are used as bedding[14].
The plant contains some indigo pigment and can be used to make a blue dye[15]. Unfortunately, the pigment is only present in very small quantities, there is not enough to harvest commercially[15].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is said to contain alkaloids and be poisonous to livestock[9].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.