purple prairie clover
Dalea purpurea
The roots of a single plant can extend over six feet underground, allowing it to thrive during intense droughts that wither other flora.
- Scientific name
- Dalea purpurea
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Fabales › Fabaceae › Dalea
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Tallgrass, mixed-grass, and shortgrass prairies; also found on rocky slopes, glades, and open woodlands.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis); obtains nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules.
- Range
- Great Plains of North America, Central United States, Southern Canada, Northern Mexico
- Size
- 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) tall.
- Lifespan
- Perennial; individual plants typically live 5 to 12 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, urban development, fire suppression, and encroachment by invasive species.
- Safe to approach?
- Entirely harmless and safe to touch. This plant is a vital nectar source for pollinators; observe quietly to see native bees at work. Avoid trampling or picking in protected conservation areas.
Dalea purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name purple prairie clover , better written as "prairie-clover," in recognition of the fact that it is not a true clover (genus Trifolium ).
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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