Practical
Plants

Dalea purpurea

Purple Prairie Clover

a perennial member of the Dalea genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Dalea
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.9 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root was used for chewing[2]. A pleasant sweet flavour[4]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[2][4].

Plant part
Root
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A poultice of the steeped bruised leaves has been applied to fresh wounds[4]. A decoction of the leaves and blossoms has been used in the treatment of heart problems, diarrhoea[4]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of measles[4].

Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The tough, elastic stems have been made into brooms[4].

Product or use
Broom

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Dry desert and alluvial soils to 2000 metres[3]. Sandy prairies in Texas[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[3]. A deep-rooted plant, it prefers a sandy loam with added leaf mould[1]. This species is well-suited to informal and naturalistic plantings, especially as part of a collection of native species[3]. Plants are monocarpic, living for a number of years without flowering and then dying after flowering[3]. The stems, leaves and flowers are dotted with glands, making the plant look blistered[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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