Texas Wildbuds

Dalea frutescens

(Black Dalea)

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Dalea frutescens, Madrone Trail Pollinator Garden, Canyon Lake, Comal Co. 3593

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Dalea frutescens, Madrone Trail Pollinator Garden, Canyon Lake, Comal Co. 3605

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Dalea frutescens, Madrone Trail Pollinator Garden, Canyon Lake, Comal Co. 3600

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Dalea frutescens, Walnut Creek Park, Austin, Travis Co. 0852

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Dalea frutescens, Walnut Creek Park, Austin, Travis Co. 0858

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Dalea frutescens, Madrone Trail Pollinator Garden, Canyon Lake, Comal Co. 3612

Scientific Name Dalea frutescens USDA PLANTS Symbol DAFR2
Common Name Black Dalea, Black Prairie-clover ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 26617
Family Fabaceae (Pea) SEINet
Reference		 Click Here
Description Habitat: Dry, rocky areas, roadsides.
Plant: Showy (when in bloom), open, rounded shrub, 1 to 3 feet tall; light gray to straw-colored, striate stems.
Leaves: Alternate, odd-pinnately-compound leaves 1/4 to 1 inch long with 9 to 17 very small obovate leaflets, each 1/8 to 1/3-inch long; may have a notched tip; smooth upper surfaces, gland-dotted beneath.
Inflorescence: Short terminal spikes of up to 30 rose pink pea-like blossoms, each 1/2-inch long or less; calyx lobes do not have feathery plumes like D. formosa.
July to October.
Reference: "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. 		BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key		 Texas Status:
Native
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Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2025