General Culture:
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Does well in poor, sandy, somewhat dry soils. May spread by self-seeding.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Ouachita mountain leadplant is a deciduous shrub that is becoming increasingly rare because of logging operations in its natural habitat of open woodlands in the Ouachita Mountains of West Central Arkansas. This pea/bean family member is a somewhat ungainly shrub growing 3-6' tall featuring slender, dense, 4-8" spike-like clusters of tiny, purplish flowers with gold anthers which bloom in May-June. Also features alternate, pinnately compound leaves with grayish green leaflets. The genus Amorpha is often called false indigo because of its resemblance to plants of the genus Indigofera. This plant is a candidate for inclusion on the Federal Endangered Species list.
Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spots, rust, powdery mildew and canker.
Uses:
This endangered plant probably can not be found in commerce. If it could be obtained, its rare status would seem to dictate utilizing it as a specimen or accent plant, even though it is a rather ordinary looking, small shrub with an attractive bloom but otherwise no particularly outstanding landscape features.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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