This small shrub is native to the Central United States, found in well-drained prairies and open woodlands. The 1-3 foot height above ground is shorter than its 4-foot or longer root. I like a lesser known common name, Prairie Shoestring, which possibly refers to the laced shoestring look of the leaves.

Of the many natives I have planted as bare roots or plugs, this is one of the slowest growers. Several have become lost because of the faster growing grasses around them. They do not tolerate a lot of moisture, doing much better without any additional watering from me. The Leadplant is listed in seed mixes we have purchased, but we have not yet found any in our prairie patches.

Deer and other mammals will eat the leaves and berries. One way to deter the rabbits and deer is to grow strong-scented plants nearby. They need to smell when a predator is coming, and plants such as Monarda will mask that scent. This is not foolproof, as a hungry deer may eat anything, but so far it has worked for us.

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Leadplant Amorpha is sold by some native plant nurseries in the Midwest. Its native is range from most of Oklahoma up into southern Manitoba and from eastern Colorado & Montana over to northwest Indiana & southern Michigan.

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