Amorpha

Family. Legumes.

Origin. North America.

Amorpha - description of a flower. A tall perennial shrub or subshrub with vertically growing stems. When young, the stems are densely covered with white hairs, but with age they become bare and display brown or dark gray bark. Sometimes the hairs cover the plant to such an extent that it seems as if the bush has been painted white.

Composite leaves are 15 - 40 cm in length, on short petioles - 2 - 5 cm, consisting of 4 - 10 pairs of leaflets each. Leaves are 2 - 4 cm long and 1 - 2 cm wide, on short petioles, oval or elliptical with sparse pubescence on the lower surface. The petioles are usually also pubescent. Purple flowers that appear in June - July are collected in vertical narrow racemes 6 - 20 cm long. Individual flowers 7.5 mm. long with triangular or widely rounded petals of purple or blue color. Stamens are orange-yellow, long. Fruits are pods 7.5 mm. long, usually contain 2 seeds and. The fruits ripen in September. Plants have a huge root system. 

Height. Up to 4.5 m in nature. 

Amorpha - planting and care

Reproduction - growing from seeds 

It is very easy to propagate by seeds and in open ground it forms self-seeding. Amorpha seeds are soaked for 12 hours in warm water and sown in early spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually occurs after 1-2 months at a temperature of 20 °C; plants bloom for the first time at the age of 3 years or more. By semi-woody cuttings in summer.

When amorpha blooms 

From July to September, lasts about 3 weeks.

How to grow 

It tolerates pruning well, even radical pruning, which rejuvenates the plant. Pruning does not prevent flowering, since flower buds are formed on the shoots of the current year. 

Soil for amorpha 

Sandy, loamy, prefers well-drained soils and can grow in poor soil. There are no special requirements for soil pH. 

Containment temperature

It can withstand a wide range of temperatures, but does not tolerate frost.

Lighting

Possible bright light, but can also grow in partial shade.

Fertilizer

During the growing season once every two weeks.

Spraying

There are no special requirements; when grown in residential premises, amorpha does not need high air humidity.

Watering amorpha

Prefers dry or moist soil and tolerates drought easily. 

Transfer

As it grows, you can trim the root system when replanting. 

Pests and diseases

There is some susceptibility to leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew.  There are no serious pest problems - aphids appear occasionally.

Purpose

Dwarf amorpha is most often used as a houseplant, since its height does not exceed 50 cm. 

Note - use of amorpha

The crushed fruits are used as a seasoning. The plant contains indigo pigment and can be used to produce dye. The shrub is an excellent honey plant and attracts bees during the flowering period; in addition, amorpha flowers contain a large amount of pollen. Sedative drugs are obtained from fruits and beans. 

Varieties:

Amorpha fruticosa

      The plant is a loose, light shrub. The leaves are emerald green, compound and consist of oval leaves arranged in pairs. The underside of the leaf blades has short, delicate pubescence. In May, amorpha shrub forms large apical inflorescences - up to 20 cm long, consisting of numerous, fragrant flowers - purple, with bright orange or yellow stamens. Flowering lasts until July. The plant contains small amounts of blue pigment - indigo.

Amorpha canescens

        A deciduous shrub, one of the smallest representatives of the species, reaches a height of about 90 cm. The leaves and young shoots are covered with thin fluff, which is why the plant appears silver-gray from a distance. The leaf blades are longer and slightly bent along the midrib compared to other species.