Amorpha canescens
Pursh
Downy Indigobush
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.161544
Element CodePDFAB08020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusAmorpha
Synonyms
Amorpha brachycarpaPalmer
Other Common Names
Downy False Indigo (EN) Faux-indigo blanchissant (FR) leadplant (EN) Leadplant (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Review Date1986-04-08
Change Date1986-04-08
Range Extent Comments
Great Plains and Midwest, from IN and Man. to MT, south from TX to NM. Peripheral.
Ecology & Habitat
Description
Lead Plant is a shrub with few to several, erect or ascending, simple or sparingly branched stems, which are 3-8 dm high. In marginal sites, the plant may die back to near the base each year. The alternate leaves have a short petiole and 27-41 narrowly elliptic leaflets, which are 8-15 mm long. Foliage is covered with very dense, short white hairs, giving the plant a hoary appearance. The violet flowers are borne in dense spike-like inflorescences, that are 7-15 cm long and arise on long stems from the leaf axils. Each small flower has a single petal longer than the densely hairy calyx that is ca. 2 mm long. There are 10 orange stamens exserted beyond the petal. The glandular and hairy fruits are ca. 4 mm long and egg-shaped with a long beak.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Lead Plant could be confused with members of the genus DALEA or PSORALEA, but these plants are not true shrubs, and they have flowers with more than 1 petal.
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN3
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | S3 | Yes |
| Ontario | S1 | Yes |
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | SNR | Yes |
| Oklahoma | SNR | Yes |
| Colorado | S3 | Yes |
| Minnesota | SNR | Yes |
| Montana | S3 | Yes |
| Iowa | S4 | Yes |
| Michigan | S3 | Yes |
| Wisconsin | SNR | Yes |
| New Mexico | SNR | Yes |
| Wyoming | S2 | Yes |
| Kansas | S5 | Yes |
| Arkansas | S1 | Yes |
| Indiana | S4 | Yes |
| Missouri | SNR | Yes |
| North Dakota | SNR | Yes |
| Illinois | SNR | Yes |
| South Dakota | SNR | Yes |
| Texas | SNR | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (5)
New Mexico (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Capitan Mountains | Lincoln National Forest | 14,069 |
| Gallinas | Santa Fe National Forest | 13,208 |
References (1)
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.