Amorpha canescens (Leadplant)

Also known as Prairie Shoestring. A small, deciduous shrub with multiple stems reaching about 1–3 ft. tall. Leaves are covered in dense, silver-gray hairs, giving the whole plant its characteristic grayish color and its common name. Purple flowers - each with a single petal and showy orange stamens that extend past it - cluster along the upper portions of the stems. Leadplant is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils — tolerating conditions from somewhat acidic to alkaline, as well as some salinity. A deep, branching, woody taproot (4 ft. or deeper) makes it highly fire-resistant and it tolerates moderate grazing. As a legume, it forms nitrogen-fixing root nodules, making it valuable for prairie restoration. Leadplant carries special value to native bees and other pollinating insects, and is highly palatable to both livestock and wildlife. Native American tribes brewed the leaves into a tea used medicinally for ailments such as pinworms, eczema, rheumatism, neuralgia, and wounds, and also smoked the dried leaves, sometimes mixed with buffalo fat. AT A GLANCE Texas native Yes Water use Low Sun exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom color Blue, purple Bloom time Summer Mature height 2-3 ft Mature spread 2-2.5 ft Attracts Bees, butterflies, birds Host plant yes Notes Native bee friendly. Nitrogen fixer. DISTRIBUTION MAPS USDA MAP BONAP MAP Present in state Present in county and native Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state Not present in state Present and rare, native in county Previously present, now extinct Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)