Common Name:

General Information

Dalea formosa is a much-branched, dwarf shrub usually growing 15 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Habitat

Dry rocky hillsides, gullied bluffs, and knolls on the prairie, in barren places where competition from tall shrubs is low or absent; at elevations from 570 - 2,040 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

At its altitudinal limit in southern Colorado and adjoining New Mexico, this species must endure zero temperatures and deeply frozen ground - conditions that no related species in the genus can tolerate[].

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

A decoction of the leaves is used as a cathartic[].
An infusion of the leaves, taken before breakfast, is used as an emetic[].
An infusion of the leaves is said to promote endurance and long wind for runners[].

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[].