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Lead plant is a sprawling bush 1-3' tall. the stems, leaves, flower spikes, and flower calyxes are densely covered with white, wooly hairs (giving the appearance of a metallic surface). The flower spikes are up to 6" long; they arise from the ends of branches. Flowers are 1/4" long, purple with reddish stamens and golden anthers; there is a single petal on the upper side of the flower that is initially tubular but opens after pollination to nearly flat (horizontal). Lead plant is considered an indicator of high-quality habitat; its tap roots can reach up to 5 m long. The flowers of lead plant look like false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), but the latter is a much larger shrub.

Amorpha

Amorpha canescens

lead plant [Blooms: Jun-Sep]