Dalea candida oligophylla - (Torr.)Shinn.
(Torr.)Shinn.
White Prairie Clover
gbif· cc-by-nc
Loraine Yeatts
gbif· cc-by-nc
Loraine Yeatts
gbif· cc-by-nc
Loraine Yeatts
Description
Dalea candida oligophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Edible Uses
Tea. Roots are edible and sometimes described as sweet, although the texture can be woody. Edible Uses & Rating. Like other prairie-clovers, the plant provides a minor edible root. It is generally considered a low-yield wild food. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes. Roots may possess mild sweetness and aromatic qualities. Boiling the roots produces a flavored broth that may be preferable to eating them directly due to fibrous textures. Seasonality (Phenology). Flowers appear from late spring to early summer, with seeds maturing later in the season. Safety & Cautions (Food Use). Flavor varies significantly between plants, so testing small samples is recommended . Harvest & Processing Workflow. Roots are dug, cleaned, and sampled before further harvesting. They may be boiled or chewed fresh. Cultivar/Selection Notes. Cultivation has focused on ecological restoration rather than food traits. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks. It may be confused with other prairie-clover species, but it is distinguishable by white flower spikes and narrow leaflets. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary. Prairie-clover roots were occasionally consumed by Native American groups as a sweet wild root. Root - raw or chewed for its pleasant sweet flavour. The root can be dried, ground into a powder and stored for later use. Leaves - cooked. The peeled stems have been used as a food. A tea-like beverage is made from the dried leaves.
Medicinal Uses
Emetic Poultice. The plant is a strong emetic. A poultice of the plant has been used to treat wounds.
Known Hazards
Flavor varies significantly between plants, so testing small samples is recommended.
Distribution
Central N. America - southwards from Canada.
Where It Grows
US. USA. Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Manitoba, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Cultivation
A valuable prairie species ecologically with limited but interesting edible potential. Growing Conditions. Prefers dry sunny sites with well-drained soils. Habitat & Range. Occurs across prairie regions and sandy plains of central North America. Size & Landscape Performance. Performs well in prairie plantings and native wildflower gardens. Cultivation (Horticulture). Often used in prairie restoration mixes. Pests & Problems. Generally hardy and resistant to major pests. Identification & Habit. Upright stems with compound leaves and white cylindrical flower spikes. Pollinators. Visited frequently by bees and butterflies. White prairie-clover (Dalea candida var. oligophylla) belongs to the bean family (Fabaceae) and the genus Dalea. Common names include white prairie-clover and narrow-leaf prairie-clover. It grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9 and typically reaches 30–70 cm tall with a spread of about 30–50 cm. Requires a well-drained soil in full sun. A deep-rooted plant, it prefers a sandy loam with added leaf mould. This species is well-suited to informal and naturalistic plantings, especially as part of a collection of native species. We are not sure how hardy this plant is in Britain, but judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. Plants are monocarpic, living for a number of years without flowering and then dying after flowering. The stems, leaves and flowers are dotted with glands, making the plant look blistered. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation
Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Other Uses
Broom HairAn infusion of the roots has been used as a hair wash to prevent the hair from falling out. The plant has been used for making light brooms. Supports pollinators and improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Dalea candida var. oligophylla
