Purple Prairie Clover! It's a beautiful and resilient wildflower that graces the prairies of North America. Let me paint a picture for you:

Imagine a plant standing upright, usually between 1 to 2 feet tall, with several slender, branching stems. These stems are often dotted with tiny glands. The leaves are finely divided, almost feathery in appearance, giving the plant a delicate texture despite its hardiness.  

But the real showstopper is the flower head. It's a dense, elongated spike of vibrant purple blossoms that bloom from the bottom upwards. Each individual flower is small and pea-like, typical of the legume family (Fabaceae), to which it belongs. As the flowers mature, they often fade to a more brownish or purplish-tan color, adding another layer of visual interest.  

Beyond its beauty, Purple Prairie Clover plays an important ecological role. As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for other plants. Its deep taproot helps it to survive in dry conditions, making it a valuable component of prairie ecosystems. It's also a favorite food source for various pollinators, like bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of its habitat.  

Historically, some Indigenous peoples used Purple Prairie Clover for medicinal purposes.  

So, in essence, Dalea purpurea is more than just a pretty face. It's a tough, adaptable plant that supports the prairie ecosystem with its nitrogen-fixing abilities and its appeal to pollinators.

Distributions
prairie; foothills; parkland

Light
full-sun

Bloom Period
summer

Height
10 – 20 cm
4 – 8 inch

Habitat
Open prairie grassland