Etymology: Dalea: named after Samuel Dale (1659-1739), an English physician, botanist and botanical collector, and gardener who was the author of several botanical works and a treatise on medicinal plants. He was an associate of several major botanical figures in England,
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-20" tall forb, softly hairy, appearing bluish
Leaves: many, narrowly elliptical, pinnately-divided into an odd number of leaflets (11-17) with the end leaflet smallest
Flowers: pale purple, 5-parted, 1/4" long; inflorescence a 1/2"-4 1/2" long, dense spike blooming from the bottom upward; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: tiny pod not splitting open when mature
Habitat: dry; prairies; in sandy soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos