Thursday, January 22, 2015

White Prairie Clover

Photographed 17 July 2014, prairie remnant along the Cinder Path east of Derby, Iowa.

Dalea candida. Native to Lucas County's upland prairies, although rarer than its sister, Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea); grows 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall, unbranched or sparsely branched in upper half; flower spike is 1-3 inches tall with small flowers that open in wreath formation around blossom cone, starting at the bottom. Blooms early to mid-summer; central taproot up to 5 feet deep.

Prefers full sun and mesic to dry condition and seems to be relatively rare in Lucas County.

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