dwarf false indigo

Amorpha nana

characteristics

Such a delightful, wonderfully fragrant plant.

A low growing, many branched, rare subshrub with fine textured, oval leaflets. Violet to purple flowers, with orange anthers, are in spikes on the upper branches. Fruit are small, smooth pods. Stems need winter protection from rabbits.

Flowers are very aromatic.

habitat

Dry fields, rocky hillsides.

uses

Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies (Baltimore - Euphydryas phaeton).

Spreading root system is useful for erosion control.

Used in the past as a snuff to treat catarrh.