Common Name:

General Information

Dalea nana is a variable, perennial plant producing a cluster of stems that become more or less woody and persist; the stems can grow 8 - 35cm long. The plant can vary in habit from prostrate to erect; prostrate forms are more commonly branched whilst erect forms are more likely to be unbranched[, ]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central southern N. America - Colorado to Kansas, south to Arizona, northern Mexico and Texas

Habitat

Dry, open hillsides, sandy and stony plains, dunes, stream-beds, sometimes weedy along roads and railroads; at elevations from 10 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The variety nana is generally found on neutral to acid soils, it avoids rocky subsoils and is prevailingly calclfuge. The variety carnescens is calcicole, being found on limestone rubble, caliche, or gypsum[].
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 of the plant is used as a tonic for weak children[].

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[].