Purple Prairie Clover

Scientific Name: Dalea purpurea Vent. var. purpurea


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Fabales / Fabaceae / Leguminosae / Dalea L./ Dalea purpurea Vent. var. purpurea

Purple Prairie Clover
General Information
Usda SymbolDAPUP
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsForb/herbSubshrub,
Native LocationsDAPUP

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Purple Prairie Clover.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Erosion Control: Purple prairie clover is used in a mixture with grass and forbs to prevent soil erosion on dam structures, roadsides, and other critical erodible areas. Wildlife: Purple prairie clover is readily consumed by many types of wildlife. During early growth stages, its foliage is consumed due to its high nutritional value. Purple prairie clover seed is consumed by birds and small mammals. The purple flowers also attract many different species of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Livestock: Purple prairie clover can be grazed by livestock, primarily sheep and goats. This plant is highly palatable and nutritious. Landscaping/Beautification: Purple prairie clover is used in wildlife gardens, parks, prairie restorations, and recreation areas.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov) and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at http://www.plants.usda.gov . Please consult this and Related Web Sites and view the plant profile for this species for further information.

Description

Purple prairie clover is a native, warm-season, perennial legume. The plant has one to many stems that grow up to 2.5 feet long from a woody, stout taproot that branches near the surface. The leaves are about one inch long and very narrow. They alternate and have an average of five leaflets per pinnate compound. The flowers appear on the end of the stems and have cylindrical floral spikes about two inches long. The flowers open beginning at the base of the flower head and progress up to the tip. Seed is produced in a seed pod about ½ inch long. The seed pod will contain between one to two seed each. Purple prairie clover blooms from April to June with the seed maturing from mid July to late August

Adaptation

Purple prairie clover is adapted to slopes along hillsides, prairies, and plains. The plant is widely distributed throughout central, south, and west Texas. It occurs mostly on sandy, sandy loam, and other moderately drained soils Purple prairie clover area of distribution from PLANTS database.

http://plants.usda.gov/� Distribution: Please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Establishment

Purple prairie clover should be planted on a clean, firm seedbed, Planting can be done using either a grass drill or broadcast seeder, but grass drills are the most successful method of planting, Seed should be placed ½ to ¼ inch deep, Purple prairie clover should be planted at a rate of 3 lbs pure live seed (pls) per acre, When planting this as a component of a seed mixture, the seeding rate should be adjusted to the desired percent of the mix, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Purple Prairie Clover.

Management

Purple prairie clover is commonly found as a component in seed mixtures for range seeding and conservation cover. Stands should be well established before livestock grazing is permitted. The plant does not tolerate continuous grazing or heavy overuse. Proper management of purple prairie clover is required to ensure the plant is not overgrazed or over utilized by livestock or wildlife. Consult your local NRCS Field Office for assistance with planning and applying prescribed grazing. Soil tests should be conducted regularly to determine the amount of fertilizer needed to maintain a medium level of fertility.

Pests and Potential Problems

None known

Environmental Concerns

None known

Control

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Cuero Germplasm was released from the James E. “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center, Knox City, TX in 2003. It was collected originally in 1970 from native plants in DeWitt County, TX approximately 11 miles from the town of Cuero. USDA NRCS Prepared By: Brandon Carr, USDA NRCS James E. “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center, Knox City, Texas Species Coordinator:

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Drought ToleranceMedium
Drought ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Hedge ToleranceNone
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Precipitation, Minimum16
Precipitation, Minimum16
Precipitation, Maximum24
Precipitation, Maximum24
pH, Minimum6.0
pH, Minimum6.0
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Maximum8.0
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Hedge ToleranceNone


Morphology/Physiology

Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Resprout AbilityNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Flower ConspicuousYes
Flower ConspicuousYes
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ColorPurple
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Nitrogen FixationLow
Fall ConspicuousNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
BloatLow
BloatLow
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
Resprout AbilityNo
Foliage TextureCoarse
Nitrogen FixationLow
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Growth RateModerate
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureCoarse
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Growth RateModerate


Reproduction

Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Seed per Pound301250
Seed per Pound317000
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodSummer
Bloom PeriodSummer
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer


Suitability/Use

Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialHigh
Protein PotentialHigh
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Purple Prairie Clover

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