California false indigo (Amorpha californica var. californica) is a spring bloomer with handsome spikes of deep violet flowers. This deciduous shrub is classified in the pea family, though the flower looks nothing like a typical pea flower. Each floret is composed of a single reduced petal off-set by contrasting white stamens tipped with bright yellow/orange anthers. Amorpha can be seen in the wild growing in chaparral and woodland habitats in full sun, part shade, or dappled light. Typically false indigo is a 3’ – 6’ high by the same wide, though it can reach up to 10’ in height. Attractive slightly hairy oval shaped leaflets form pinnately compound leaves each tipped with a resin gland. The fruit is a tiny version of a typical legume pod containing a single seed …
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