Searls' Prairie Clover
Dalea searlsiae
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Dalea
- Species:
- Dalea searlsiae
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Pink, Purple
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Scarification of seeds using a five-minute treatment in 98% concentrated sulfuric acid or sandpaper. Further studies are underway for other treatments.
Establishment: The plant is native to portions of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and northern Mojave Desert in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah at elevations ranging from 3,000-7,500 feet above sea level. Rhizobial strains that inoculate other perennial Dalea species may be effective at nodulating D. searlsiae, but this has not been evaluated.
Source: npn.rngr.net