Lead Plant

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Lead Plant (Shoestrings)
Amorpha canescens [C-value 9]
Bean family (Fabaceae)
Blooms mid-June - mid-July

The native Lead Plant is rare in our area but may be found in fine dry prairie remnants. It prefers full sun and average to dry soil. Habitats include medium-moist to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies and hill prairies. This perennial shrub is up to 4' tall. With age it becomes increasing woody with occasional side branches. The compound leaves are 4-12" long and grayish green The fine white hairs usually cover the plant to the extent that it appears to be heavily dusted with white lead, hence its name. The small light to dark purple flowers occur along 2-6" long spikes at the ends of major branches. Lead Plant is known for its very deep central root that can extend 15 feet or more into the soil and therefore tolerate severe droughts. The pioneer's frustration in digging up this plant gave it the other common name Shoestrings, short for "the devil's shoestrings".

Lead Plant at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve prairie July 12, 2013

Lead Plant at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve prairie July 19, 2017

Lead Plant (post-bloom) at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve prairie July 12, 2013

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