Fabaceae / Leguminosae (Amorpha)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Amorpha (fruticosa)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Fabaceae / Leguminosae

Family Common Name:
Pea

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Amorpha

Species:
fruticosa

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
L.

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

John Vandevender

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
false indigo bush

Species Code:
AMFR

Ecotype:
Central Appalachian

General Distribution:
Found in all of the continental states with the exception of Nevada and Montana. Also found in the eastern Canadian provinces.

Known Invasiveness:
None

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
1+0 container

Grow Time:
Years

Target Specifications:
A second spring seedling ranging in height from 6" to 18" and having a compact, well developed root system.

Propagation Collection:
Mature fruit was hand harvested from a population of Central Appalachian Amorpha fructosa maintained at the Appalachian Plant Materials Center.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seed can be hand stripped from the plants from September to November or the entire seed head may be clipped. Seed heads were broken apart using a hammer mill. Seed was cleaned using a clipper fanning mill.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Mechanical scarification for 15 seconds using a Forsberg seed scarifier.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Pro-mix BX with biofungicide was moistened and placed in heavy plastic trays. The soil was compacted somewhat to prepare a firm seedbed.

Establishment Phase:
Seed was spread evenly by hand on the soil surface and then covered with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of additional soil. The top layer was pressed down slightly to ensure good seed to soil contact. The seed was then artificially cold stratified at 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 days. Upon completion of cold stratification, seed was moved to the greenhouse to stimulate germination.

Length of Establishment Phase:
1 month

Active Growth Phase:
Once the seedlings had developed adequate root systems, they were transplanted into 1 gallon plastic pots filled with Metro-mix 510 growing medium. Transplants were maintained at a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the greenhouse under automatic watering and natural lighting.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
6 - 9 months

Hardening Phase:
Plants were moved into a shadehouse which provided a minimum of 50 percent shade to allow for hardening off before shipping.

Length of Hardening Phase:
2 weeks

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:
Plants with sufficient top growth were distributed to various NRCS field offices throughout the Appalachian Region for use in mine land reclamation.

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
False indigo bush is usually considered to be a pioneering species which invades disturbed sites, fencerows, roadsides, abandoned fields and forest and grassland borders.

References:
USDA, NRCS. 2015. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 11 March 2014). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Citation:
Vandevender, John. 2015. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Amorpha fruticosa L. plants 1+0 container; USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center Alderson, West Virginia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/05/07). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

Personal tools