Dalea purpurea

Dalea purpurea, also known as purple prairie clover, is a native clover species that grows in meadows, rocky open woods, and prairies across Texas, except for the southeastern counties. This plant typically grows between 1 to 3 feet tall and blooms tiny purple flowers in dense, cone-like heads about 2 inches long on erect, wiry stems during the summer. Its compound leaves are odd-pinnate, with 3-5 narrow linear leaflets. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it is essential to Midwestern prairie restorations.

This plant grows best in well-drained soils that are average to medium in texture and full sun. Its thick and deep taproot enables it to withstand drought conditions. In ideal growing conditions, it may self-seed. This plant was formerly known as Petalostemon purpureum.

Larval Host Plant: Southern Dogface Butterfly (Zerene cesonia)

Nectar Source Plant: Cellophane Bees (Colletes albescens, C. robertsonii, C. susannae, C. wilmattae), Green Sweat Bees (Agapostemon spp., Augochlorella spp.), Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.), Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.), Sweat Bees (Halictus spp.), Cuckoo Bees (Coelioxys spp.)

BONAP MAP

Height: 1’-3’
Spread 1’-1.5’
Bloom: June-August
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: North America