Dalea purpurea 'Purple Prairie Clover'

Dalea purpurea, also known as purple prairie clover, is a perennial legume in the Fabaceae family native to North America. It is typically found in prairies, meadows, and other open, dry habitats in the Great Plains region.

It typically grows to be between 1-3 ft tall, and has compound leaves made up of several small leaflets. The flowers are purple or lavender in color and are arranged in clusters at the top of the stem. It blooms from June to September.

One of the unique attributes of D. purpurea is that it is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that it can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants. This makes it a valuable plant for improving soil fertility in agricultural settings.

It also has high nectar content, which makes it a great source of food for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. It is a valuable food source for wildlife, including deer, prairie chickens, and other grassland birds.

D. purpurea prefers well-drained soils in full sun, and it is tolerant of dry conditions once it is established. It is drought-tolerant and can survive in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.