Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fabales>Fabaceae>Amorpha fruticosa L.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Indigo-bush is an uncommon shrub that grows along stream banks throughout North Carolina as well as 45 other states.

The long racemes of purple flowers make Amorpha easy to recognize when in flower. Tall Indigo-bush is our most common, widespread, and largest Amorpha. There are at least three other species in North Carolina, including Appalachian Indigo-bush (Amorpha glabra).

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

The pinnately compound leaves have somewhat rounded elliptical leaflets. They could possibly be confused with Robinia pseudoacacia, but Amorpha lacks thorns. The USDA PLANTS database uses an inappropriate common name for this species - "desert false indigo".

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Seen up close, the flowers are a beautiful deep purple.

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Detail of rachis and petiolules.

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

New branches are green. There are long stipules at the base of the petiole.

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa) bark

Bark detail.

Durham, NC 5/1/10.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa) bark

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Durham Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

Tall Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

More information:
Missouri Plants
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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