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hairy prairie clover

Scientific Name: Dalea mollis

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Hairy Prairie-Clover

Let's explore the fascinating Hairy Prairie-Clover, a wildflower with a unique presence in specific environments.

Considerations for Pets

  • The Hairy Prairie Clover is in the Pea family (Fabaceae)

Scientific Name and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Dalea villosa
  • Variety: Dalea villosa var. villosa
  • Synonyms: Petalostemon villosus, Petalostemum villosum (as mentioned in relation to Dalea villosa var. villosa).
  • Alternative Scientific Name: Dalea mollis (Note: the text suggests some confusion or overlap in the application of this name).
  • Common Names: Hairy Prairie-Clover, Silky Prairie-Clover, Hairy Prairie Clover, Soft Dalea, Silk Dalea.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Hairy Prairie-Clover is found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the central United States.
  • Specifically inhabits sand dune landscapes within the prairies of south-central Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba.
  • It's a sand-loving species found in partially stabilized sand dunes.
  • Also found in bottoms and sides of old blowouts.
  • Dalea mollis, sometimes called Hairy Prairie Clover, is native to deserts, such as near the Muggin's Mountains, Yuma Co., Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.

Ecological Role

  • It is a nationally and provincially threatened wildflower in Canada.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It's a perennial plant growing 30 to 60 cm tall.
  • Has a woody taproot.
  • Stems are crowded with leaves.
  • Dalea mollis is described as a desert annual forb with leaves divided into leaflets that have wavy and dark spotted margins.
  • The very small flowers can be pale lavender to purple.
  • Flowers have long spikes with protruding stamens.
  • The plants are hairy.

Genetic and Cytological Information

  • Genetic risk assessment has been performed on threatened remnant populations of Hairy Prairie-Clover (Dalea villosa).

Quirky Facts

  • The plant's name, "Hairy Prairie-Clover," comes from the hairy nature of its leaves.

Further Information

  • COSEWIC assessment and status reports are available.
  • TERMIUM is the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank.
  • Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Dalea mollis - Hairy prairie clover.