Leadplant

Amorpha canescens Pursh

Native wildflower
Drought tolerant
Pollinator plant
Nitrogen fixer

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

No hazardous parts found.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

NC State's Plant Toolbox has no human poison section. This is not a statement that the plant is safe to eat.

Hazard route

none named by our sources

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

The pet verdict rests on the sources named in the source line.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 2 to 9 (NC State Extension)
Light: Does best in full sun; in shade it sprawls toward the light (NC State). USDA NRCS says it has good shade tolerance.
Water needs: low
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 2.5 feet wide (NC State Extension)
Where it comes from: Central North America: the Great Plains from Manitoba and Ontario south to Texas and New Mexico, east to Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa (USDA NRCS).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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