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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253237
Title: Plant Guide: Western Prairie Clover [Dalea Ornata (Douglas) Eaton & Wright]

Author
item SCHEINOST, PAMELA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item Johnson, Douglas
item Cane, James

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2010
Publication Date: 5/28/2010
Citation: Scheinost, P., D.A Johnson and J.H. Cane, 2010. Plant guide for western prairie clover (Dalea ornata). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pullman Plant Materials Center. Pullman, WA.

Interpretive Summary: Western prairie clover [Dalea ornata] is a perennial, North American legume that is non-toxic to livestock and wildlife. It is found in Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and California. Western prairie clover is tap-rooted and reaches a height of 30 to 61 cm. A cluster of stems arises from a crown, and stems die back during late-fall, early winter. Flowers are typically purple in color and occur in dense, cylinder-shaped spikes. The flowers bloom upward from the base of the spike to the tip during about a three-week period in June and July, depending on location and year. Flowers near the tip can reach flowering just as the lower flowers begin to dehisce so seed harvest can be a challenge. The plant is primarily insect-pollinated. Western prairie clover can be incorporated into rangeland seedings to enhance biodiversity, provide a food source for birds and wildlife, and as a biological-nitrogen fixer. It also has potential for use in habitat enhancement programs for native pollinators and in beautifying roadsides, rest areas, and parks.

Technical Abstract: Western prairie clover [Dalea ornata (Douglas) Eaton & Wright] is a perennial North American legume that is non-toxic to livestock and wildlife. It can be found in Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and California. Western prairie is tap-rooted and reaches a height of 30 to 61 cm. A cluster of stems arises from a crown, and the stems die back during late-fall, early winter. Compound leaves are alternate and odd-pinnate and are comprised of five to seven oval-shaped leaflets. Flowers are typically purple in color with five petals that occur in dense, cylinder-shaped spikes. The flowers bloom upward from the base of the spike to the tip during about a three-week period in June and July, depending on location and year. Seed pods are closed and contain one or two seeds. The plant is primarily insect-pollinated. Western prairie clover can be used as a component in rangeland plantings to enhance biodiversity, provide a food source for birds and wildlife, and as a biological-niotrogen fixer. It also has potential for use in habitat enhancement programs for native pollinators and in the beautification of roadsides, rest areas, and parks. Flowers near the tip can reach flowering just as the lower flowers begin to dehisce so seed shattering and seed harvest can be a challenge. As is the case for many legume species, hard seed limits germination of western prairie clover, but this can be overcome with acid and mechanical scarification.