110 PEA FAMILY (PULSE FAMILY) 



PsoRALEA (Genus PsoraJea) 



The most common of this genus is P. cane^cens, a widely 

 branched plant of nearly globular form, with soft three- 

 foliate leaves, and short clusters of blue or purplish flowers 

 which change to green. In habit of growth the plant 

 resembles a Baptisia, 



Though of similar bushy growth, P. Lupinellus is very 

 different in appearance as the leaves seem to be formed 

 of five or seven green threads clustered at the top of the 

 leaf-stalk. Both are found in sandy pinelands. 



A western species, P. esculentus, the prairie apple, or 

 pomme hlanche, has edible roots, which were used as 

 food by the Indians. 



Psoralea canescens. Flowers blue or purplish, small, in 

 short axillary racemes. Pod oval, short. Stems 1-3 ft. tall, 

 branched. Leaflets 3, or upper leaves 1-foliate, glandular, 

 broadened upward, V2-2 in. long. Sandy soil. Blooming in 

 spring and summer. Fla. to Ala. and N. C. 



Psoralea Lupinellus. Flowers blue, small, in long-stalked 

 axillary racemes. Pods short, curved, wrinkled. Plants 

 bushy, 1-2 ft. tall. Leaflets 5 or 7, thread-like, 1-3 in. long. 

 Dry pinelands. Blooming in spring and summer. Fla. to 

 K C. 



Lead Plant. Polecat Tree. False Indigo (Genus 



Amorpha) 



The disagreeably scented leaves of this shrub, locally 

 known in Florida as polecat tree, appear in late winter and 

 are soon followed by dense racemes of tiny blackish purple 

 flowers, whose rich and unusual color is emphasized by 

 the yellow anthers. The flowers are of odd form, as 

 there is but one petal, the standard, which is folded about 

 the stamens. This shrub is very ornamental, and is some- 

 times cultivated. An inferior dye was formerly made 

 from the young shoots. 



