River Locust (New England Ecotype)

Amorpha fruticosa

Origin: North America

Improvement status: Wild

Seeds per packet: ~110

Germination tested 10/2024: 52%

Wild harvested, Fall 2022

Life cycle: Perennial

This seed comes from our friend Jacob Holzberg-Pill in Vermont, one of the very first EFN volunteers from almost a decade ago, who officially became a grower for our catalog in 2023. Thanks Jacob!

A large, woody shrub, related (and similar looking) to the more compact Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens). Often called False Indigo Bush or Blue False Indigo Plant, we should stress that this is not a Baptisia species (though those are often called by the same common name). It’s also not a true locust tree species. Similarly to both of these species, Amorpha is a legume and decent nitrogen-fixing plant, suitable for coppicing and food-forest carbon cycling. River locusts, as the name suggests, are often found in riparian sites, but they will tolerate a wide variety of conditions. It features beautiful purple flower spikes alongside feathery double-compound leaves. This plant is vigorous and can seed itself and spread by suckers, so make sure it's in an appropriate space with plenty of room. 

12'x6'w. Wet to Dry Soil. Full-Part Sun. Purple bloom June-Aug.

GROWING TIPS: Cold Stratify 10 days, of Fall seed.