Fabaceae : Dalea aurea

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Family Name

Fabaceae

Common Name

Golden prairie clover, silktop dalea

Native American Name

Lakota: tȟokȟála tȟapȟéžuta

Description

Dalea aurea is a perennial herb with 1 to several erect stems coming from a woody caudex atop a taproot and growing 20-75 cm in height. The stems are simple or branched above and covered with silky hairs. The petiolate leaves are alternate, compound odd-pinnate, blades 1-4 cm long, with 5-7 oblanceolate leaflets, 4-16 mm long. The leaves are largest toward the stem base and are reduced above. The inflorescence consists of silky-haired, many flowered, terminal cone-like spikes on the main stem and branches, becoming oblong-cylindrical, 1.5-7 cm long. The calyx tube is 2-3 mm long, with teeth 3.5-5 mm long and is densely covered with silky hairs. The corolla is papilionaceous, yellow, with all of the petals clawed (narrowed at the base). The petals above the claws measure as follows: banner 6.5-8.6 mm, wings 5-6 mm, and the keel 5.7-8.5 mm long. The fruit is a one-seeded legume, 3-4 mm long and covered with silky hairs. Golden prairie clover blooms from June into September in prairies, open hillsides, in ravines and in stream valleys in western and southwestern South Dakota.

Additional Notes

Golden prairie clover is an attractive plant in a native plant garden. Its silky vegetation and bright yellow flowers are striking from July into the fall. The flowers attract native bees and other pollinators and the seeds attract several species of song birds.

Horticulture Notes

Seed Collection: Collect seed in Jul.-Sept. when they turn brown in color.

Germination: Seed have a mild dormancy, and some will germinate when planted in the spring. Scarification with fine sandpaper or carful breaching of the seedcoat to allow water to penetrate will improve germination rates.

Soils: Sandy or rocky well drained soils.

Light: Full sun

Water: Prefer dryer conditions.