Amorpha fruticosa

Small tree with small, purple, pea-like flowers are borne in dense terminal raceme, replaced by small two-seeded legumes.

Makes a desirable ornamental. Easily propagated from seed, from softwood stem cuttings or from basal sprouts with roots attached. There are about 123,000 seed per pound. Plants bloom in 3-4 years from seed. Seed germination is improved by cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997).

Most common on streams and river banks. The genus name amorpha is from the Greek "amorphos" meaning "deformed", which refers to the missing wings and keel of the corolla. The leaves of Amorpha canescens have been reportedly used to make tea, however, its value as a tea plant is unknown.

Moist ground along streams, banks, open wet woods, pond shores, and roadsides.