Amorpha nana
| Amorpha nana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Amorpha nana (common name: dwarf indigobush) is a perennial shrub.
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[3]. Fairly wind-resistant[3].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c[3].
Plants resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their final positions whilst small[2].
Plants are said to be immune to insect pests[3].
Flowers are produced on the current season's growth[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: Western N. America - Minnesota to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Dry prairies in S. Manitoba[4].
Medicinal: The plant has been used as a snuff in the treatment of catarrh[5].
Usage: The resinous pustules on some species yield the insecticide 'amorpha'[3].
The plant has a strong spreading root system and this makes it useful for controlling soil erosion[3].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: A. microphylla.
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 3.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Livingstone, B. Flora of Canada. National Museums of Canada, 1978.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.