Common Name:

General Information

Dalea compacta is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant with few-branched stems growing from a thick, tough rootstock; it ca grow from 30 - 75cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern N. America - Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas

Habitat

Dry soils[]. Stony limestone hills, live-oak savannahs, and mesquite prairie; mostly at elevations below 450 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is closely related to Dalea purpurea and sometimes hybridizes with it in the wild[].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the root is used as a treatment for stomach ache[].
A poultice of the root is applied to sores and rashes[].

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[].