Common Name: Golden Prairie Clover

General Information

Dalea aurea is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of usually unbranched stems 20 - 90cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central N. America - S. Dakota, south to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico

Habitat

Prairies and dry hillsides, on a variety of soils but perhaps most vigorous on sedimentary bedrock, especially limestone; at elevations from 10 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion or decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment for colic, stomach aches, dysentery[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. 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[].