Dalea enneandra
Cat. Pl. Upper Louisiana, no. 30. 1813.
Perennial herbs, erect, glabrous proximal to inflorescences. Stems (5–)6–12 dm, eglandular or sparsely glandular-punctate. Principal leaves 1.3–2.6 cm; leaflets (3–)7–11(or 13), blades narrowly oblanceolate or elliptic, 4–11(–12) mm. Peduncles 0.5–3.5(–5.5) cm. Inflorescences spikes, remotely flowered, most flowers separated by distinct intervals, not involucrate, 7–10 mm diam.; axis visible, (1–)2.5–12 cm; bracts persistent, enfolding and falling with fruit, 3–4.2 mm. Calyces ± asymmetric, opening oblique, 6.2–7.6 mm, silky-pilosulous; tube 3–3.5(–3.7) mm, with 3 or 4 inconspicuous glands between ribs, lobes triangular-aristate, becoming plumose. Corollas white; papilionaceous; banner 5.7–7 mm, blade broadly ovate, 3.6–4 × 3.2–4.2 mm, proximal lobes connate, forming obconic pit; epistemonous petals attached near or proximal to middle of stamen tube; wings 2.7–3.4 × 1.4–2 mm; keel connate valvately, blades (4.5–)4.8–5.8 × 2.6–3 mm. Stamens 9, 6.3–9.4 mm, filaments distinct to 2.2–3.5 mm, anthers 0.8–1.2 mm. Legumes 3–3.7 mm, pilosulous and, sometimes, gland-dotted distally. Seeds 2.4–2.8 mm. 2n = 14.
Phenology: Flowering summer–early fall.
Habitat: Plains, prairies, many substrates.
Elevation: 30–1400 m.
Distribution
Colo., Ill., Iowa, Kans., Mo., Mont., Nebr., N.Mex., N.Dak., Okla., S.Dak., Tex., Wyo.
Discussion
Dalea enneandra is native to the Great Plains and as far east as the Texas coast and the loess hill prairies of western Iowa and northwestern Missouri. It is naturalized in DuPage County, Illinois. Its persistent calyx aids in wind dispersal of fruit.
Selected References
None.