Description
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) is a sun-loving native legume known for its vibrant, thimble-shaped purple flowers that bloom from the base upward. Thriving in dry to medium soils, it’s well-suited for prairies, savannas, rocky slopes, and limestone glades.
This drought-tolerant perennial features fine-textured, fern-like foliage that stays attractive after flowering. Its deep taproot ensures long life and resilience, while its blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, and butterflies. It also serves as a larval host for species like Dogface Sulphur and Reakirt’s Blue.
As a nitrogen-fixing legume, Purple Prairie Clover enriches the soil and plays a key role in healthy prairie ecosystems—making it both beautiful and beneficial.
