Amorpha fruticosa

Indigo bush, False indigo, Itachi-hagi

Fabaceae Edible: Fruit - spice Some parts mildly toxic — see hazards 26,191 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Amorpha fruticosa is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, known by several common names, including desert false indigo, false indigo-bush, and bastard indigobush. It is native to North America.

Description

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It can grow 2-6 m tall. The leaves are 15-30 cm long with 11-25 leaflets. These are 1-4 cm long and oval. The flowers are in a group at the end. These are 8-15 cm long. The fruit is 8-10 mm long.

Edible Uses

The crushed fruit is used as a condiment. The plant also yields an oil.

Traditional Uses

The fruit or pod is crushed and used as a condiment.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The Seminoles used an infusion from the leaves and stems as a general tonic and against rheumatism and chronic sickness, combined with other plants. The Omaha used the plant to cure wounds. The related species A. canescens was used by Native Americans of the Great Plains for stomach pain, intestinal worms, eczema, neuralgia, and rheumatism, with its powdered leaves applied to wounds. Further research into the medicinal uses of A. fruticosa is ongoing.

Known Hazards

The plant is said to contain alkaloids and be poisonous to livestock.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 2-8. It grows in wet areas. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Canada, Central Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, North America*, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Tajikistan, Uruguay, USA,

Cultivation

Prefers a light well-drained sandy soil in sun or light shade. Plants are fairly wind-resistant. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25c. A polymorphic species, there are many named forms. The flowers have a vanilla perfume. Plants resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their final positions whilst small. Trees only ripen their seed in fine autumns. Plants are said to be immune to insect pests. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagation

Seed — pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually occurs within 1–2 months at 20°C. When large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in June/July in a frame with a high success rate. Cuttings of mature wood from the current season's growth can be taken in autumn in a sheltered position outdoors, though these take 12 months to root. Suckers can be taken in spring just before new growth begins. Layering is also possible in spring.

Other Uses

Plants have an extensive root system and are fairly wind tolerant, making them suitable as a windbreak and for preventing soil erosion. Resinous pustules on the plant contain 'amorpha', a contact and stomachic insecticide that also acts as an insect repellent. The stems are used as bedding. The plant contains some indigo pigment and can produce a blue dye, though the quantity present is too small for commercial harvest. Special uses include nitrogen fixing, carbon farming, food forest applications, and the plant is noted as scented.

Notes

There are about 25 Amorpha species.

References (5)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 102
Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 58
Sp. pl. 2:713. 1753
Tanaka,