Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Late-Summer Wildflowers

Chris Grondahl photo: Leadplant
Chris Grondahl Leadplant
(Amorpha canescens)
Distribution: statewide except extreme south and northwest
Habitat: prairies with big and little bluestem, upland prairies, roadsides, and open woodlands
Flowers: violet in color, on spikes accented with golden yellow anthers
Height: 1-3 feet
Blooms: mid-June to late July
Family name: Legume (Fabaceae)
Other names: Prairie shoestring
Plant uses and other interesting facts: Plant is shrubby with a deep root that can reach water deeper than 4 feet. Named from grayish color of plant. It has high wildlife value for food and nesting and is an indicator of good rangeland. Plains Indians smoked the leaves and made tea.

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