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silky prairie clover

Scientific Name: Dalea villosa var. grisea

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: AR (a prairie clover)

       

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

Purple Prairie Clover, scientifically known as Dalea purpurea, is a native plant with several interesting characteristics and ecological roles.

Considerations for Pets

  • Both Purple Prairie Clover and Hairy Prairie Clover have stems covered in silky hairs, which could cause mild skin irritation in sensitive animals.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Dalea purpurea Vent.
  • Common Name: Purple Prairie Clover
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
  • The plant symbol for Purple Prairie Clover is DAPU5.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Purple Prairie Clover is native to the Mississippi prairie and occurs in glades, rocky open woods, and prairies.
  • Silky Prairie Clover (Dalea villosa) is found in central and eastern North Dakota and ranges from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada. In Canada, it specifically grows in sand dunes.
  • Hairy Prairie Clover (Dalea villosa var. villosa) is found on dry sandy river terraces and hillside prairies in Wisconsin and is considered a Special Concern plant in Wisconsin.

Ecological Role

  • Purple Prairie Clover produces protein-rich seeds that serve as a food source for various animals, including birds, deer, antelope, livestock, and small animals.
  • Silky Prairie Clover is sometimes found in areas being invaded.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Purple Prairie Clover is a perennial forb growing on slender stems, typically under 2 feet tall (8 to 35 inches).
  • Hairy Prairie Clover is a perennial plant that grows 30 to 60 cm tall.
  • Flowers of both Purple Prairie Clover and Silky Prairie Clover are similar to others in the pea family.
  • Silky Prairie Clover is a perennial herb with ascending or lax, branched stems that are 20-35 cm high, sometimes resembling a shrub form.
  • Hairy Prairie-clover is so named because the leaves and stems are covered with a layer of silky hairs, giving it a greyish appearance.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Floral visitors of Leafy Prairie Clover are likely similar to those of Purple Prairie Clover.
  • Silky Prairie Clover is a host plant for some moths, such as Choristoneura.
  • Walking stick insects have been observed on Silky Prairie Clover in the Niobrara Valley Preserve.

Related Species and Varieties

  • Silky Prairie Clover: Dalea villosa.
  • Hairy Prairie-Clover: Dalea villosa var. villosa.
  • White Prairie Clover: Dalea candida
  • Violet Prairie Clover: Dalea purpurea var. purpurea

Further Resources

  • USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Manhattan, Kansas
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life
  • Minnesota Wildflowers: Silky Prairie Clover Image
  • The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve, Nebraska (www.natlens.wordpress)