LEADPLANT
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
Applications
Attractive as an accent plant, in mass plantings as well as in species mixes.
Highly palatable, tends to be overgrazed.
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.
LeadplantSeed
LEADPLANT 18 DAYS AFTER PLANTING
LEADPLANT 34 DAYS AFTER PLANTING
