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Dalea bicolor var. argyrea
Dalea bicolor Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. var. argyrea (A. Gray) Barneby
Silver Prairie Clover, Silver Dalea, Silver Bush Dalea
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Dalea argyrea
USDA Symbol: dabia
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Habitat: Limestone uplands from central Texas westward. Well-drained sand, clay, caliche.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunConditions Comments: Nice groundcover for xeric areas where its silvery foliage can be used to best effect. The fine ferny texture of black dalea foliage contrasts well with other plants such as prickly pear cactus and grasses. Use this fast growing, mounding shrub in any dry garden situation that calls for both flowers and a defined form.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Blooms ornamental, Aromatic, Mass plantingUse Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Cover, Browse, Leaves-rabbit.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Sulfur butterflies, Dogface
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Softwood CuttingsDescription: Keep stock plants cut back for cuttings. Cuttings have a high failure rate, so take lots.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Dalea bicolor var. argyrea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Dalea bicolor var. argyrea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dalea bicolor var. argyrea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2010-04-17Research By: TWC Staff