

How to identify Leadplant (Amorpha canescens)
Leadplant, also known as Prairie Shoestring, Lead Plant
Leadplant is recognized by its dense foliage of silvery-gray leaves, which appear to be frosted due to a coating of short hairs. This plant shows a preference for sunny environments, often stretching towards the light in shadier spots. Its growth habit is hardy, thriving in sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. During its bloom period, leadplant exhibits eye-catching purple flowers arranged in prominent terminal spikes, which present a striking contrast to its grayish foliage. The flowers and distinctive leaf coloration are key identifiers for this species.
Silvery-gray foliage with frosted appearance due to short hairs.
Purple flowers on terminal spikes, contrasting with gray leaves.
Small kidney-shaped legume pods, dark brown to black when ripe.
Compound pinnate leaves with 14-45 small leaflets, fuzzy texture.
Dense floral spikes, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) in length, purple-blue color.
The leaves of leadplant are alternate and compound pinnate, featuring 14 to 45 small leaflets. Each leaflet measures approximately 0.3 to 1 inch (0.7 to 2.5 cm) in length. They exhibit a dense and grayish pubescence, creating a soft, almost fuzzy texture. The overall color tends to be a muted green with a noticeable grayish tint. These leaves are not only notable for their compound structure but also for the fine, velvety appearance provided by the abundant hair-like structures.
The flowers of leadplant are small and densely packed along spikes measuring 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) at the ends of major branches. They display a striking purple-blue color, contrasted with yellow-gold anthers that contain the pollen. Blooming from May to June, each flower on the spike contributes to a vibrant, eye-catching display. The floral arrangement and coloration make them distinguishable and attractive, particularly during their blooming period.
The fruit of leadplant is a small, kidney-shaped, single-seeded legume pod typically measuring less than 0.25 inches (6 mm) in length. Upon maturity, it transforms from green to a dark brown or almost black color. The pods are somewhat leathery in texture with fine short hairs and they possess a distinct and characteristic glandular dotting. These fruits do not appear copiously, but when present, they provide a unique identifying feature against the plant's grey-green foliage.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Leadplant