Indigo Bush

Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

       Found growing in moist areas along streams, rivers, lakes, moist prairies, thickets, marshy areas, and open wooded moist areas the False Indigo a member of the Fabaceae (bean) family, found throughout most of the United States, is a native plant blooming from late spring into the summer. Also known as Desert False Indigo, or Lead plant it is considered weedy in some states (Connecticut and Washington)
       A shrubby plant, growing to 15 feet tall, the False Indigo produces small ¼ purple flowers and prominent stamens that grow along racemes (short stalks) that grow to six inches long. Leaves are two inches long and about one inch wide.
       The fruit of this plant is edible and parts of the plant used as an insect repellent. A blue dye can be extracted from this plant.
       It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.