Leadwort

Fabaceae

LIFE FORM: Shrub

NATIVITY: Central North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Multi-stemmed shrub up to 10 feet tall; dull green compound leaves with 13 to 33 small leaflets.

FLOWERS:

Short spikes of dark maroon flowers in summer.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Small seeds dispersed by water; sprouts readily from the base to produce clusters of stems.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Grows best in full sun. Prefers freshwater wetlands, ponds and streams; riverbanks.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Stream and river bank stabilization.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Flexible stems used for baskets and other woven objects. Introduced for soil conservation purposes. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.