Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

Purple Prairie Clover is a staple legume of sunny, diverse plantings in medium to dry soils.

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Introduction

This plant is not picky when it comes to the soil characteristics, as long as the site is well-drained. Purple Prairie Clover can be found at Gabis Arboretum in the Native Plant circle.

Typical habitats of Purple Prairie Clover include black soils prairies, sand prairies, savannas, and limestone glades. Purple Prairie Clover has a deep taproot that ensures it will last in any native planting.

About the Plant

Purple prairie clover has a thimble-shaped flower arrangement which blooms from the bottom to the top. These purple flowers do not have a noticeable floral scent, but the flowers attract a number of pollinators.

This plant is listed as a superfood for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee. Honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees, leafcutter bees, and more visit the flowers for pollen and nectar. Other insects feed on the seeds, foliage, and other parts.

The Dogface Sulphur and Reakirt’s Blue use Purple Prairie Clover as one of their larval host plants. Even after the flowers are done blooming, Purple Prairie Clover remains very attractive due to its ornamental foliage.