Texas
Wildbuds
Dalea frutescens
(Black Dalea)
Dalea frutescens, Walnut Creek Park, Austin, Travis Co. 0852
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. 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