Pollinator plant

False indigo

Amorpha fruticosa

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

52 names · 30 languages
EnglishYour language
+5 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (29)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse indigostruik
  • Bastaardindigo
  • Indigobloem
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Valse indigo[2][3]
  • Valse indigostruik
French
  • Amorphe buissonnante
  • Buisson à indigo[2][3]
  • faux-indigo commun[2][3]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Faux-indigo du désert[2][3]
Arabic
  • ناقصة شجيرية[3]
Armenian
  • Ամորֆա թփային[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • netvařec křovitý[3]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik amorfa[3]
  • harilik kaunpõõsas[3]
Finnish
  • huiskusulkapensas[3]
German
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Hebrew
  • אמורפה שיחית[3]
Hungarian
  • cserjés gyalogakác[3]
  • gyalogakác[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • イタチハギ[3]
Korean
  • 족제비싸리[3]
Lithuanian
  • Krūminė amorfa[3]
Polish
  • Amorfa krzewiasta[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Аморфа кустарниковая[3]
Serbian
  • Багренац[3]
Slovak
  • beztvarec krovitý[3]
Slovenian
  • navadna amorfa[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • segelbuske[3]
Turkish
  • Çivit Ağacı[3]
Ukrainian
  • Крутик кущовий[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Amorpha fruticosa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • False Indigo — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Bastard Indigo — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Indigo Bush — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Indigo Bush Amorpha — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Amorpha fruticosa.
[2] Amorpha fruticosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • false indigo bush — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Bastardindigo — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Bleibusch — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falscher Indigo — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Scheinindigo — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • bastard false indigo — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • desert false indigo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • tall indigo bush — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falso índigo — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Buisson à indigo — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • faux-indigo commun — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Faux-indigo du désert — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Amorfa fruticosa — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falso indaco — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Indaco bastardo — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Valse indigo — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Índigo-bastardo — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
[3] Amorpha fruticosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • false indigo bush — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Bastardindigo — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Bleibusch — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falscher Indigo — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Scheinindigo — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • bastard false indigo — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • desert false indigo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • tall indigo bush — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falso índigo — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Buisson à indigo — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • faux-indigo commun — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Faux-indigo du désert — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Amorfa fruticosa — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Falso indaco — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Indaco bastardo — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Valse indigo — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Índigo-bastardo — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • イタチハギ — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • 족제비싸리 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • netvařec křovitý — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • 紫穗槐 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Аморфа кустарниковая — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • ناقصة شجيرية — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Amorfa krzewiasta — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • harilik kaunpõõsas — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • harilik amorfa — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • amorfa — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Ամորֆա թփային — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Særkrone — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • segelbuske — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Amorfă — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Salcâm pitic — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Крутик кущовий — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Krūminė amorfa — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • 紫穗槐 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • navadna amorfa — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • gyalogakác — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • cserjés gyalogakác — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • huiskusulkapensas — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • אמורפה שיחית — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • beztvarec krovitý — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Багренац — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
  • Çivit Ağacı — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 57356; Amorpha fruticosa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Fabaceae

Genus-level classification for Amorpha; this does not confirm the complete catalogue name.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Amorpha fruticosa.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature height
1.22–4.57 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
1.83–4.57 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Dense; Horizontal; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Moist; Occasionally Dry; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
U.S.A. to N. Mexico.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
4.50 m high × 4.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Seasoning, Oil
Functions
Nitrogen fixer, Dye, Insecticide, Oil, Repellent, Windbreak, Carbon farming, Fragrant
Edibility
1 out of 5
Medicinal value
0 out of 5

The damaged fruits are used as a spice. Here it is meant that the damaged fruits can be used as a spice.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Amorpha — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 3794968; ID 9CJQR; rank genus; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Amorpha fruticosa — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Amorpha fruticosa — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 103149; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1159186, 1159187, 1159188, 1159189, 1159190, 1159191, 1159192, 1159193, 1159194, 1159196, 1159197, 1159198, 1159199, 1159200, 1159201, 1159202, 1159203, 1159204, 1159205, 1159206, 1159207, 1159208, 1159209

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.