Overview
The crenulate lead plant (Amorpha crenulata) is a semi-deciduous perennial shrub that grows up to 5 feet tall with several 6- to 8-inch flower spikes that bloom in the spring ranging in petal color from white to lavender, with bright orange anthers. Multiple small, dark green leaflets grow on its reddish branches. It is a larval food plant for the Cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius).
Threats
The primary threats to the crenulate lead plant are habitat destruction, fragmentation, and modification due to development, along with drainage, fire suppression, invasive plants, and sea level rise. Its habitat of pine rocklands is a globally imperiled ecosystem.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
This plant grows in pine rocklands, pineland/hammock edges, and marl prairie. This species can tolerate varying light conditions, soil depth, and litter depth.
Physical Characteristics
The crenulate lead plant is a medium-sized, leggy shrub that grows up to 5 feet tall from an underground, woody taproot. Plants are smooth and hairless. Compound leaves with up to 30 gland-spotted leaflets with scalloped (crenulate) margins are arranged alternately along the stems. The flower consists of a single petal measuring a fourth inch long and loosely grouped in clusters at the end of 6- to 8-inch-long flowering spikes. Fruit is a flattened pod, usually held erect, less than a half-inch long.
Life Cycle
It is a long-lived perennial species that flowers from April through November, peaking in July. It resprouts from an underground taproot following fire.
The crenulate lead plant is capable of self and cross-pollination. A variety of native and non-native bees have been observed pollinating flowers, but also rarely small butterflies. Flowers are protogynous, meaning that receptive stigmas and pollen are presented at different times to minimize self-pollination. Fruit set from cross-pollination is much greater than self-pollination.
Geography
Crenulate lead plant is found in the Miami Rock Ridge Pinelands in the south Miami/Kendall area. Historically it also occurred in the pineland rocklands and marl prairie edges of Miami-Dade County.
Timeline
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