Perennial herbs, erect to ascend­ing or diffusely spread­ing to procumbent, glabrous proximal to inflorescences. Stems 3–8(–10) dm, gland-dotted distally. Principal leaves 1.5–4 cm; leaf­lets 5–9, blades flat or folded, elliptic to oblanceolate, (5–)6–17 mm. Peduncles 0–8 cm. Inflorescences spikes, densely flowered, not involucrate, 7–10 mm diam.; axis not visible, 0.5–3(–3.5) cm; bracts deciduous with fruit, 2–5.5 mm. Calyces asymmetric, deeply recessed opposite banner, opening oblique, 2.7–4.3 mm, glabrous except lobes ciliolate; tube 2–3.5 mm, with (0 or)1–3 small blister glands between ribs, lobes subulate or adaxial pair ovate. Corollas usually white, sometimes pink to pinkish tan; not conventionally papilionaceous; banner 3.8–5.7 mm, blade ovate, 1.8–3 × 1.4–2.4 mm; epistemonous petals attached at separation of filaments, blades 1.7–3.3 × 0.7–1.11 mm. Stamens 5, 5–9.5 mm, filaments distinct to 2.7–6 mm, anthers 0.6–0.9 mm. Legumes 2.5–3 mm, glabrous or distally pilosulous, ± glandular. Seeds 1.4–1.8 mm.

Distribution

se United States.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

The varieties of Dalea carnea are fairly distinctive, and two are largely allopatric. Variety gracilis occurs in the Florida panhandle and west while var. carnea is found farther east and throughout peninsular Florida. Variety albida overlaps the ranges of the other varieties and extends north into Georgia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Dalea carnea var. albida, Dalea carnea var. carnea, Dalea carnea var. gracilis

Key

1	Calyces 3.2–4.3 mm, lobes 0.9–1.5 mm; petals usually pink to pinkish tan, rarely white.	Dalea carnea var. carnea
1	Calyces 2.7–3.5 mm, lobes 0.6–1.1 mm; petals white.	> 2
2	Leaflets mostly 5; stamens 6–9.5 mm; stems erect to ascending.	Dalea carnea var. albida
2	Leaflets mostly 7; stamens 5–6 mm; stems diffusely spreading to procumbent.	Dalea carnea var. gracilis