Dalea tenuifolia
(Slimleaf Prairie Clover)
Dalea tenuifolia, Picketwire Canyon Trail, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7916
Dalea tenuifolia, Picketwire Canyon Trail, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7910
Dalea tenuifolia, Picketwire Canyon Trail, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7906
Dalea tenuifolia, Picketwire Canyon Trail, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7923
| Scientific Name | Dalea tenuifolia | USDA PLANTS Symbol | DATE5 |
| Common Name | Slimleaf Prairie Clover, Bigtop Dalea | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26649 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains (4000 to 5300 ft.); dry, rocky, calcareous (limestone) soils in grasslands. Plant: Perennial 8 to 12 inches tall with slender, erect or ascending stems. Leaves: Alternate compound leaves 1-1/4 to 1-5/8 inches long overall with 3 to 5 narrow leaflets per leaf; leaflets are linear to linear-oblanceolate, 0.3 to 0.8-inch long with curled up edges. Inflorescence: Cylindrical-shaped spikes at branch tips, 1.2 to 4 inches long; 5-petaled purple flowers loosely packed around the cylinder; protruding yellow-tipped stamens and single stigma; calyces are very hairy. Bloom Period: May to July. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Colorado Flora-Eastern Slope" by Weber and Wittmann, iNaturalist and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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