Bastard indigo-bush
Amorpha fruticosa
Synonyms: Amorpha humilis, Amorpha coerulea, Amorpha fruticosa var. humilis, Amorpha caroliniana, Amorpha verrucosa, Amorpha ornata, Amorpha curtisii, Amorpha fruticosa var. oblongifolia, Amorpha occidentalis var. emarginata, Amorpha pubescens, Amorpha dewinkeleri, Amorpha flexuosa, Amorpha fruticosa var. typica, Amorpha fruticosa var. fragrans, Amorpha ludwigii, Amorpha fruticosa var. lewisii, Amorpha herbacea, Amorpha perforata, Amorpha fruticosa var. crispa, Amorpha occidentalis, Amorpha fruticosa f. humilis, Amorpha fruticosa var. croceolanata, Amorpha colorata, Monosemeion obliquatum, Amorpha fruticosa f. albiflora, Amorpha fruticosa var. caroliniana, Amorpha fruticosa f. latior, Amorpha sensitiva, Amorpha fruticosa var. coerulea, Amorpha fragrans, Amorpha fruticosa f. aureovariegata, Amorpha gaertneri, Amorpha fruticosa var. pendula, Amorpha croceolanata, Amorpha fruticosa var. vulgaris, Amorpha fruticosa var. occidentalis, Amorpha discolor, Amorpha elata, Amorpha fruticosa var. ornata, Amorpha virgata, Amorpha fruticosa var. tenesseensis, Amorpha occidentalis var. arizonica, Amorpha fruticosa f. crispa, Amorpha fruticosa f. pendula, Amorpha lewisii, Amorpha fruticosa var. emarginata, Amorpha angustifolia, Amorpha pumila, Amorpha arizonica, Amorpha macrophylla, Amorpha pendula, Amorpha bushii, Amorpha fruticosa var. angustifolia, Amorpha fruticosa f. coerulea, Amorpha glauca, Amorpha mimosifolia, Amorpha fruticosa f. glabrata, Amorpha tenesseensis, Amorpha gardneri, Amorpha nonperforata, Amorpha emarginata
Gallery
Botanical Description
Amorpha fruticosa is a deciduous shrub of the legume family growing 2-4 m tall with slender, ascending, usually multi-stemmed branches. The pinnately compound leaves are 10-25 cm long, bearing 11-25 oblong to elliptic leaflets each 1-4 cm long, dull green above and finely pubescent and gland-dotted beneath. Inflorescences are erect, terminal racemes 7-20 cm long densely packed with small, single-petalled papilionaceous flowers; only the standard petal is present, dark violet to purplish, contrasting with the protruding bright orange anthers. The fruits are small, curved, glandular pods 7-9 mm long containing one or two seeds. Native to riverbanks, floodplains, and wet thickets of central and eastern North America, it has become naturalised across much of Europe and Asia. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.