White Prairie Clover

Dalea candida

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Dalea
Species:
Dalea candida
USDA Symbol:
DACA7

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Subshrub
Height:
90 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from deep taproot following fire. Native to fire-maintained prairies and benefits from periodic burning to reduce competition.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in prairies and open woodlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Scarification followed by cold stratification improves germination. Seeds have hard seed coat typical of legumes.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: If unable to plant in the fall, store the seed dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees F. Field seed is not damp stratified due to clumping problems during the drilling process.

Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. June 10 to July 30. Seed is harvested about August 10. D. candida is found from southern Alberta east to Ontario south through the United States to Texas, Alabama and west through the great Plains states; also Arizona and Utah and northern Mexico.

Source: npn.rngr.net

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society