Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © allan7 (iNaturalist #33444218)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Dalea
- Species:
- Dalea purpurea
- USDA Symbol:
- DAPU5
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
- Bloom Colors:
- purple
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), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius) Butterflies:Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Benefits from occasional fire to reduce competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- 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:
- Scarify seed coat and cold stratify for 30-60 days to improve germination.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified. If unable to plant in the fall due to weather, 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 12. D. purpurea is found from Alberta to Manitoba south to Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and New Mexico, and throughout the Great Plains states.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires scarification. | Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)