Purple Prairie-clover

Purple Prairie-clover Dalea purpurea

Bean Family, Perrenial, 1-2 feet in height

Purple Prairie-clover near Atchinson, July 2013

Many flowering stems grow from a single base. Leaves are narrow. Tiny florets open on a conical head from base to the top of the cone. Often the stamens will have a golden color in contrast to the purple flower.The flowers attract many insects. Like other legumes of the bean family, the Purple Praire-clover is good for the soil and adds nitrogen. Other legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupins, mesquite, soybeans, and peanuts.

Blooms in June and July.

The Purple Praire-clover can be found in short grass country where the land is too dry for farming.

Purple Prairie-clover with golden stamens

The White Prairie-clover is similar, but with white flowers and larger leaves.