Dalea aurea

Perennial herbs, erect, pilose to pilosulous. Stems (2–)3–7.5 dm, nearly eglandular. Principal leaves 1–3.5(–4) cm; leaflets (3 or)5(or 7), blades obovate to oblong-oblanceolate, (3–)4–16(–20) mm. Peduncles absent or very short, sometimes appearing relatively long due to small size of distalmost leaves. Inflorescences spikes, densely flowered, not involucrate, (12–)14–21 mm diam.; axis not visible, (1–)1.5–6 cm; bracts persistent to anthesis, 2.5–5.5 mm. Calyces subsymmetric, 6.1–7.4 mm, silky-pilose; tube 2.2–2.8 mm, with 3 or 4 small glands between ribs, lobes lanceolate-aristate, becoming plumose. Corollas clear yellow; papilionaceous; banner 6.3–8.6 mm, blade deltate-cordate, 3–4.2 × 3.2–4.4 mm; epistemonous petals attached near middle of stamen tube; wings 4.7–5.6 × 2–2.4 mm; keel connate valvately, blades (4.7–)5–7 × 2.6–3.2 mm. Stamens 10, 10–12.5 mm, filaments distinct to 2.5–3 mm, anthers 0.6–0.9 mm. Legumes 3–3.5 mm, distally with 2 rows of ascending hairs on either side of a glabrescent row, eglandular. Seeds 2–2.4 mm. 2n = 14, 24.

Phenology: Flowering summer–early fall.
Habitat: Open prairies, dry slopes, rocky or sandy areas, on limestone.
Elevation: 10–1800 m.

Ariz., Colo., Kans., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., S.Dak., Tex., Wyo., Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila).

Discussion

Dalea aurea is sometimes cultivated in rock gardens or dry soil for its showy flowers with yellow petals. In Texas, the species is quite widespread.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa