Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
(Family: Fabaceae)
(see Photo 1)
Dalea Purpurea In the Field. Photo by Hallie Craycraft, 2011
Diagnosis:
Stems: Erect, ascending, many leaflets along entire length of stem.
Leaf: Altermate, odd pinnately compound, leaflets 3-7, linear to linear-elliptic, 0.8-2.5 cm (1/3-1’’) long, acute tips, slightly pubescent, margins entire.
Root: Tough system produces above ground shoots at intervals.
Inflorescence: Dense, cylindrical, cone-like, 0.5-2.5’’ long, terminal stalks, flowers bloom from bottom to top of inflorescence.
(see Photo 2)
Dalea purpurea Inflorescence. Photo by Hallie Craycraft.
Floret: Small, 5 purple or pinkish petals, 5 stamens with orange anthers, 1 pistil.
(see Photo 3)
Dalea purpurea Floret. Photo by Hallie Craycraft.
Flowering Period: June-July
Habitat: Dry black soil, gravel, and sand prairies. Prefers a sunny habitat.
Conservation Status: Not threatened
Native Status: Native to eastern and central United States.
Distribution: Distributed throughout most of Kansas.
Kansas Distribution Map. Map from Plants Database. http://plants.usda.gov/
Distributed throughout central United States and south central Canada.
United States Distribution Map. Map from Plants Database. http://plants.usda.gov/
Human Uses: The taproot can be used to make a tea that will help cure fever in people with measles.
Historical Information: Lewis and Clark collected specimens from Montana to bring back to President Jefferson in 1804 and 1806. These specimens of Dalea purpurea are now on display in the Lewis & Clark Herbarium in Philadelphia.
Visitors: Long and short tongued-bees, wasps, flies, and small butterflies, skippers, and beetles.
References:
Friends of the Flower Garden. 2008. Dalea Prupurea. http://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org
Great Plains Flora Association 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas. Lawrence, Kansas. Pg. 1046.
Image Credits:
Dalea purpurea in the field, inflorescence, and floret. Photos by Hallie Craycraft.
Kansas Distribution map and United States Distribution map. http://plants.usda.gov/
Submitted by: Hallie Craycraft, July 2011
Wichita State University
Generated on 2011. This website is continuously updated.
Comments can be sent to Mary Liz Jameson.
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