Texas
Wildbuds

Dalea frutescens

(Black Dalea)

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

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Dalea formosa, Balanced Rock, Grapevine Hills Trail, Big Bend National Park 5526/5543

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
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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

Banner photo of Lupinus ssp. by Rick Capozza, Austin TX

© Tom Lebsack 2023