Dalea purpurea, commonly known as Purple Prairie Clover, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, savannas, and open fields throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including dry, sandy, or rocky sites, making it an excellent choice for prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and drought-tolerant plantings.
This upright, clump-forming plant typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and features fine, pinnately compound leaves that give it a delicate texture. From early to mid-summer, it produces showy cylindrical spikes of bright purple to magenta flowers with yellow-tipped stamens, which bloom from the bottom upward. The flowers are highly attractive to a variety of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Dalea purpurea is a standout plant for its vibrant color, ecological value, and graceful form. As a legume, it also improves soil health by fixing nitrogen. It pairs beautifully with other prairie species such as Butterfly Weed, Little Bluestem, and Blazingstar in sunny, well-drained landscapes designed for biodiversity and resilience.
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Dalea purpurea, commonly known as Purple Prairie Clover, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, savannas, and open fields throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including dry, sandy, or rocky sites, making it an excellent choice for prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and drought-tolerant plantings.
This upright, clump-forming plant typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and features fine, pinnately compound leaves that give it a delicate texture. From early to mid-summer, it produces showy cylindrical spikes of bright purple to magenta flowers with yellow-tipped stamens, which bloom from the bottom upward. The flowers are highly attractive to a variety of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Dalea purpurea is a standout plant for its vibrant color, ecological value, and graceful form. As a legume, it also improves soil health by fixing nitrogen. It pairs beautifully with other prairie species such as Butterfly Weed, Little Bluestem, and Blazingstar in sunny, well-drained landscapes designed for biodiversity and resilience.
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Bloom: early to mid-summer
Habitats: gravel prairies; hill prairies; limestone glades; mesic to dry black soil prairies; sandy hills or dunes near Lake Michigan; typical savannas and sandy savannas
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: average to dry
Plant type (height): forb (1 to 3 feet)
Requirements: full sun
Soil: clay; gravel; loam; sand
