Translate this page:

Summary

Purple prairie-clover is one of the most striking prairie wildflowers, producing tall spikes of vivid purple flowers that bloom from the base upward along the spike. It is widely distributed across the Great Plains and frequently cultivated in native plant gardens. Like other prairie-clovers, it contributes to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and supports numerous pollinators.

Physical Characteristics

Dalea purpurea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Petalostemon violaceum. Michx.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses: Tea

Roots are edible and sometimes sweet but often fibrous [2-3]. Edible Uses & Rating. Provides a minor edible root resource. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes. Roots can produce mildly sweet broths when boiled but are often woody [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology). Flowers bloom from early to mid-summer. Safety & Cautions (Food Use). Flavor variability requires sampling before harvesting. Harvest & Processing Workflow. Roots are dug, cleaned, and boiled to extract flavor. Cultivar/Selection Notes. Numerous ornamental selections are available for prairie restoration and landscaping [2-3]. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks. Easily recognized by its purple cylindrical flower spikes. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary. Prairie-clover roots were occasionally eaten by Native American groups [2-3]. The root was used for chewing[183]. A pleasant sweet flavour[257]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[183, 257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiac Poultice

A poultice of the steeped bruised leaves has been applied to fresh wounds[257]. A decoction of the leaves and blossoms has been used in the treatment of heart problems, diarrhoea[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of measles[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Broom

The tough, elastic stems have been made into brooms[257]. Important pollinator plant and soil-improving legume. Commonly used in prairie restoration and pollinator gardens.

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An ecologically valuable prairie wildflower with modest edible potential. Growing Conditions. Prefers sunny locations and well-drained prairie soils. Habitat & Range. Widespread across the central United States prairies. Size & Landscape Performance. Tall and showy in prairie plantings. Cultivation (Horticulture). Commonly used in prairie restoration and pollinator gardens. Pests & Problems. Generally hardy and pest-resistant. Identification & Habit. Perennial herb with compound leaves and dense purple flower spikes. Pollinators. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[200]. A deep-rooted plant, it prefers a sandy loam with added leaf mould[1]. This species is well-suited to informal and naturalistic plantings, especially as part of a collection of native species[200]. Plants are monocarpic, living for a number of years without flowering and then dying after flowering[200]. The stems, leaves and flowers are dotted with glands, making the plant look blistered[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Purple prairie-clover (Dalea purpurea var. purpurea) belongs to the bean family (Fabaceae) and the genus Dalea. Common names include purple prairie-clover and purple prairie clover. It grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9. Mature plants usually reach 40–90 cm tall and spread about 30–60 cm wide.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba (south)), United States (Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Alabama (west), Arkansas, Kentucky (Nelson Co.), Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, New Mexico, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Low.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not listed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Dalea candida	White Prairie Clover	Perennial	0.7	3-9	LM	N	DM	3	1	3
Dalea candida oligophylla	White Prairie Clover	Perennial	0.7	3-9	LM	N	DM	3	1	3
Dalea gattingeri	Purpletassels	Perennial	0.4	0-0	LM	N	DM	2	0
Dalea lanata	Woolly Prairie-Clover, Woolly Parosella	Perennial	0.6	4-9	LM	N	DM	2	2	3
Dalea lasiathera	Pecos prairie-clover, Purple Prairie-clover	Perennial	0.2	5-9	LM	N	DM	2	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Now available: Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions 350+ Perennial Plants For Mediterranean and Drier Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens. [Paperback and eBook]

This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses on species suited to Mediterranean conditionsâ€”regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, often facing the added challenge of climate change.

Dalea purpurea - Vent.