Wild Leadplant is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Amorpha canescens is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Oak Prairie Farm offers retail perennial native prairie wildflowers (retail perennial native prairie forbs). Oak Prairie Farm offers wholesale perennial native prairie wildflowers (wholesale perennial native prairie forbs). This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild plant propagation information. This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed treatment information. This Prairie Guidebook page also provides perennial perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed sales information.

Leadplant	Also called: Wild tea, Prairie shoestring

Botanical name:	Amorpha canescens

Description: numerous compound purple flowers grow on a branching stem at the top of the plant. These perennial, woody plants are up to 31/2 feet tall, with leaves that cover the entire plant. The stem is hairy and has a whitish appearance.

Attracts:	Butterflies and Honeybees.
Bloom time:	From July through August.
Range:	Northern U.S. and south.
Sunshine:	Full sun to partial shade.
Moisture:	Middle to dry.
Soil types:	Sandy loam best, well drained.

Suggested seed treatment: You should provide 10 days of cold moist stratification. Many prairie wildflower seeds benefit by moist cold stratification, some require it to germinate. Seed that you purchase from Oak Prairie Farm has not received cold moist stratification.
Seeds need to be scarified. All seed that you purchase from Oak Prairie Farm that needs it has been scarified.
Seeds also need inoculum (type EL). Seeds that need it will have the right inoculum along with the seed.

Direct planting tips: Plant seed in desired location in 1/3 inches of soil , and firm.

Transplants: If you grow transplants from our seed: transplant while dormant in spring during the second year, trim long roots, plant with buds 2 inches below the soil surface, space 2 to 3 feet apart. Very vigorous.

Companion prairie plants: Butterfly weed, Black eyed Susan, Purple prairie clover, Big bluestem, Indian grass.

Comments: Very vigorous. Cultivated as an ornamental. Also used as a dye. It is an indicator of a good prairie.

indicates photos taken by Dan Klapper.

indicates photos taken by Dr. Era Jo Moorer. All others taken by Lin Heinrich.
See the About Oak Prairie Farm link on the Home page for more information concerning photographers.