Fabaceae : Dalea enneandra
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Family Name
Fabaceae
Common Name
Nine-anther prairie clover
Native American Name
Lakota: heȟáka tȟapȟéžuta
Description
Dalea enneandra is a perennial herb with 1-3 erect stems, branched above the middle, which are 5-10 dm tall and arise from a caudex attached to a yellow taproot. The alternate, nearly sessile, pinnately compound leaves are 1.3-2.6 cm long, with leaves on the main stem often deciduous by time of anthesis. The leaves 5-13 leaflets, narrowly oblanceolate, 4-12 mm long with black glands on the leaflets and midrib. The inflorescence consists of terminal, 2-ranked spikes, with 5-35 flowers, subtended by bracts, 3-4 mm long with pale or white membranous margins. The calyx tube is covered with silky hairs, 3-3.7 mm long with 5 teeth 3.3-4.6 mm long. The papilionaceous white petals are clawed (narrowed at the base) with the remainder of the petals measuring as follows: banner 5.7-7 mm, wings 2.8-4.1 mm, and the keel 5.5-7 mm long. There are 9 stamens. The fruit are one-seeded legumes, 3-4 mm long. Nine-anther prairie clover blooms in July and August in prairies, on hillside and in stream valleys in most of South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seed in August and September, when fruit become yellowish brown in color. Remove the pod tissues to improve germination.
Germination: Fall sowing is the easiest method for planting. Gentle scarification of the seedcoat with fine sandpaper will increase germination of spring planted seeds.
Soils: Tolerates most soil types, but prefers calcareous soils.
Light: Full sun.
Water: Moderate to dryer conditions
Additional Notes
Nine-anther prairie clover is an easily overlooked species in a native plant garden. Its sparse vegetation and small flowers allow it to easily disappear among the other plants. However, its flowers attract several species of bumblebees.