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Blue Mountain prairie clover

Scientific Name: Dalea ornata

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Blue Mountain Prairie Clover (Dalea ornata)

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is described as a "non-toxic legume." However, individual sensitivities can vary, and ingestion of any plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset in some animals.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant has a cluster of erect stems.
  • The leaves are pinnately divided.

Common Names

  • Blue Mountain Prairie-Clover
  • Western Prairie-clover
  • Ornate Dalea
  • Handsome Prairie Clover

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Dalea ornata
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonym: Petalostemon ornatus Douglas ex Hook.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the United States, including: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington.
  • Found east of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington.
  • Specific locations mentioned include the Blue Mountains, Snake River Plain, and Northern Basin.
  • Natural habitats include mesic prairies, gravel, sand, and hill prairies.
  • Specific locations mentioned include the western Columbia Plateau and western Blue Mountains Ecoregions.

Ecological Role

  • Used for diversification and revegetation of western sagebrush-steppe.
  • Plants in gardens helps add nitrogen back into the soil.
  • It is a legume, and purple prairie clover can be grown as a green manure or cover crop to help enrich soil.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Cluster of erect stems.
  • Hairless plant.
  • Leaves are pinnately divided into 5-7 leaflets.
  • Leaflets are egg-shaped, 1/3-3/4 inches in length.
  • Taprooted perennial.
  • Large, long-lived.
  • Has numerous sunflower-like flower heads.
  • Forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
  • The development of the The Blue Mountain prairie clover is erect in general, in the lower part they have a pretty bare stem, while many ramifications develop.
  • Flower color: pink lavender.

Quirky Facts

  • It is considered a slow grower at first, but long-lived.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The plant is associated with bumblebees and possibly other bees.

Further Information

  • Garden Guides
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life