Fabaceae (Dalea)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Dalea (pulchra)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Fabaceae

Family Common Name:
Pea Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Dalea

Species:
pulchra

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Gentry

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

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Other Information:

Common Name:
Santa Catalina Prairie Clover

Species Code:

Ecotype:
Madrean Archipelago

General Distribution:
Found in uplands commonly on rocky slopes or mountain foothills from 2500-5000 ft in southern Arizona and Mexico (Kearney and Peebles 1960). It’s early flowering time makes it a beneficial plant for enhancing pollinator habitat in the region.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
Plants

Propagation Method:
Seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:

Grow Time:

Target Specifications:

Propagation Collection:
Populations have been collected from in late spring (mid-late May). When collecting D. pulchra seeds begin by removing terminal inflorescence spikes that have few remaining flowers on them. Run your hand along the spike to allow the seed to fall into your hand.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
First, remove large sticks and twigs with hands or tweezers.Using hands or sandpaper, push remaining material around in a sieve to separate the seed from the bracts. Once separated, the fluffy bracts and the seed can fall through the sieve. Air winnowing out the fluffy bracts from the seed is fairly easy due to their large difference in weight and texture. Remove remaining plant material by hand if necessary. Orthodox storage is assumed.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:

Establishment Phase:
The Borderlands Restoration nursery staff has seen germination rates increase from 2% to roughly 30-35% with light scarification with sandpaper on the seed coat. Further experiments are recommended using more intensive physical scarification and cold stratification. Little information is available about this species.

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Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:

References:
Epple, Anne Orth., and John F. Wiens. Plants of Arizona: a field guide. Guilford, CT: FalconGuides, 2012. Print. Kearney, Thomas H., and Robert H. Peebles. Arizona Flora. Berkeley: U of California, 1960. Print. Borderlands Restoration Network (2018). BRN Native Plant Materials Program Database. Unpublished Raw Data.

Citation:
Allen-Cantú, Juniper; Claverie, Francesca; McNelis, Perin; Mount, Allegra. 2018. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Dalea pulchra Gentry Plants Borderlands Restoration Patagonia, Arizona. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/05/26). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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