LEADPLANT

Good as Gold® | Wildflowers

#1312 | Amorpha canescans

Summary

Leadplant is a small, native, warm-season perennial leguminous shrub adapted to the central one-half of the United States, extending from Mexico into Canada. Leadplant is found growing in most all types of soils with an average annual rainfall of 20 to 45 inches. The presence of leadplant on the prairie is an indication the prairie is in excellent health. Leadplant is very high protein and subsequently, it is readily grazed by all classes of livestock and wildlife. Leadplant is relatively shade-tolerant, but when placed in the shade it will grow towards the sunlight. Leadplant’s comparatively slow establishment and low seed production prevent it from being a dominant species on the prairie. It is a favorite among prairie enthusiast for its lead-gray appearance and accenting purple flowers.

Plant Characteristics

Taxonomy

Zone

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Plant Characteristics

Height: 24" - 36"
Bloom Period: Late-Spring - Summer
Bloom Color: Purple
Leaf Color: Green
Growing Cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Plant Information

Planting Season: Fall - Spring
Plant Depth: 0.25" - 0.5"
Minimum Soil Temp for Germination: 60° F
Establishment: Hard

Seed Information

Seeds Per Pound: 195,000

Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Super Division: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Amorpha
Species: Amorpha canescans

Coverage Area & Available Sizes

COVERAGE: 4 oz/1000 or 10 lbs/acre

AVAILABLE SIZES:

Applications

Landscaping

Attractive as an accent plant, in mass plantings as well as in species mixes.

Forage & Grazing

Highly palatable, tends to be overgrazed.

Pollinator Beneficial Plants

Notes

*Special considerations for spring planting: seed germination can be improved with mechanical scarification. Seed needs to be inoculated with Rhizobium for nitrogen fixation to occur. Germination of scarified seed generally occurs within 2 weeks after planting provided adequate soil moisture and temperature conditions are met.