False Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Flowers of Amorpha fruticosa. Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, Centennial Museum. Photograph by A.H. Harris.

• Common English Names:Amorpha, False Indigo, Desert Indigo, Bastard Indigo, Indigo Bush, River Locust
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Amorpha fruticosa (ah-MOR-pha fru-ti-CO-sa) (formerly Amorpha occidentalis)
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Geographic Range: Streams and dependable water, Central Texas west to California, north to Wyoming across the mid-west to Ohio and New England, south across northern Mexico.
• Plant Form: Shrub 7' W X 10 'H, rarely to 15' H.
• Remarks: Produces prominent deep purple spikes of small one-petaled flowers highlighted by yellow or orange anthers in late spring; multiple sparsely branched stems form an open, graceful form. Attracts butterflies. Adaptable, winter hardy, moderate water, full sun to partial shade.

Last Update: 21 Apr 2006