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Native Plant Society of Texas

Feather Dalea

Dalea formosa

Other common name(s):

Featherplume, Indigobush

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.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Deer, Bees

Maintenance

Will get leggy in soil that is too rich or heavy, or if fertilized. Should be cut back in the spring. Prefers dry soils. Perfect ground cover for large, sunny areas. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-August. Forms low-spreading mounds with silvery, delicate compound leaves. Short, spike-like clusters of fuzzy, purple pea flowers cover the plant. Blossoms are followed by flat, shaggy-haired seed pods.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Parosela formosa

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Seeds should be sown in well-draining soil and kept in a warm, sunny location. https://earthone.io/plant/dalea%20formosa
Stem Cutting Cuttings can be taken in the spring or early summer and rooted in sandy soil. https://earthone.io/plant/dalea%20formosa
Seed Scarification Seeds benefit from soaking in warm water for 12-24 hours to soften the seed coat. If they have not swollen, try pricking with a needle, careful to not damage the embryo. Sow in a well drained mix, and keep slightly moist until seedlings appear. 1) https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Dalea+formosa#:~:text=Propagation,/plant/Dalea+formosa%3E 2) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/dalea-formosa-indigobush-grow-care-guide#:~:text=Sow%20in%20a%20well%20drained,can%20be%20pruned%20out%20cleanly.
Semi-harwood Cutting Cuttings taken in late spring or early summer may root under mist with bottom heat. This process can be tricky. https://www.gardenia.net/plant/dalea-formosa-indigobush-grow-care-guide#:~:text=Sow%20in%20a%20well%20drained,can%20be%20pruned%20out%20cleanly.
Seed No Treatment In the fall, sow your seeds directly into the ground. Cover them lightly with soil and water them gently. You can also start seeds indoors in seed trays a few weeks before the last frost. Dalea Formosa seeds can take several months to germinate. Keep the soil evenly moist and provide adequate sunlight. After flowering, the plant produces seed pods. These pods will turn brown and dry, eventually releasing the tiny, dark brown seeds. Collect these seeds and store them in a cool, dry place. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-dalea-formosa/
Softwood Cutting Remove the leaves from the bottom inch or two of the stem and make a diagonal cut at the base. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to enhance root development. Plant your cuttings in a well-draining potting mix. Keep them moist and provide a humid environment by covering them with a plastic dome or bag. Place your cuttings in a bright, indirect light location. Within a few weeks, you should see roots emerging from the cuttings. Once the roots are about an inch long, you can gradually acclimate the new plants to outdoor conditions. Take softwood cuttings from new growth in the spring or summer. Select healthy stems about four inches long. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-dalea-formosa/
Stem Layering Within a few months, new roots should develop where the branch is buried. Once the new plant has established roots, you can sever it from the mother plant and transplant it to its own location. Select a flexible branch and bend it to the ground. Pin the branch in place with a wire or rock and bury the section in the soil. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-dalea-formosa/

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