Dalea purpurea (USA)

  • Dalea


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).[2]

It is native to central North America, where it occurs from central Canada to the southeastern and southwestern United States, except for the east and west coasts.[3][4][5] It is a common and widespread plant within its range, especially on the Great Plains.[6]
This plant is a perennial herb growing 20 to 90 centimetres (7.9 to 35 inches) tall. The mature plant has a large taproot which may grow two meters deep. The stem is woody with several branches. The leaves are a few centimeters long and are divided into 3 to 7 narrow leaflets. The inflorescence atop each stem branch is a spike up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long containing many purple flowers. The fruit is a legume pod containing 1 or 2 seeds.[6]
This plant is a common member of the flora on the plains of central North America, occurring in a variety of habitat types, including several types of grassland. It occurs in glades, riverbanks and floodplains, oak woodlands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, shrubsteppe, many types of forests.

This species is used for revegetation efforts on reclaimed land, such as land that has been strip mined. It is good for preventing erosion and for fixing nitrogen in soil. Though it is often found in mid- to late-successional stages of ecological succession, it may also be a pioneer species, taking hold in bare and disturbed habitat, such as roadsides.[6] 
(From Wikipedia on 19.9.13)

Flower for ID – New York – 080913 – RK : Attachments (3). 3 posts by 2 authors.
17/06/13 – morning – Highline Park – New York. Request ID.

Dalea purpurea, commonly known as Purple Prairie Clover.

   
 

References:

The Plant List  GRIN  Wikipedia