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Native Plant Society of Texas

Compact Prairie Clover

Dalea compacta

Other common name(s):

Purple Prairie Clover, Showy Prairie Clover

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

.25
to
.50
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Allow soil to dry out between watering. It thrives with deep, infrequent watering, enabling roots to strengthen. Prune in early spring to remove dead stems and thin crowded areas for airflow. This encourages growth and flowering, but avoid heavy pruning to maintain its natural form. Native habitat: prairies and dry hills. Not commonly grown commercially, but may be available at NPSOT plant sales. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-July. Forms clumps of erect stems with compact leaves divided into finely linear leaflets. Flowers are densely clustered on a cylindrical head at the end of stems. The fruit is a tiny legume pod. Similar appearance to Dalea purpurea, but native habitat is further east.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification 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[ 1) https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Dalea+compacta#:~:text=Propagation,/plant/Dalea+compacta%3E 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Dalea_compacta.html#:~:text=Care%20Guide%20for%20Compact%20prairie%20clover&text=It%20thrives%20with%20deep%2C%20infrequent,for%20optimal%20growth%20and%20establishment.
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder and plant the cutting in a container filled with well-draining soil mix. Water the cutting and place it in a warm, bright location with filtered sunlight to encourage rooting. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and mist the cutting regularly to maintain humidity. After a few weeks, check for signs of new growth, which indicate the cutting has rooted. Once the roots have developed fully, transplant the new plant into a larger pot or into a garden bed. Select healthy stem cuttings that are around 6 inches long and have at least two leaves. Remove any leaves that are closer to the bottom of the cutting, leaving only the topmost two leaves. https://plantiary.com/plant/dalea-compacta_19380.html#:~:text=Propagation:%20You%20can%20propagate%20Dalea%20Compacta%20through,the%20seeds%20directly%20in%20the%20garden%20or

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason