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White Prairie Clover

Dalea candida

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Bloom time
Jun–Sep
Bloom color
White
Notes
Legume

About White Prairie Clover

White Prairie Clover is a cornerstone of the North American prairie, offering a sophisticated vertical accent with its slender, upright stems and unique thimble-like flower heads. Reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet, this perennial legume features delicate, fern-like foliage that stays attractive throughout the growing season. From June to September, tiny, snow-white flowers bloom in a distinctive ring that moves upward along the cylindrical cone, creating a 'halo' effect. Native across much of the central United States, it thrives in dry to medium-dry prairies and rocky upland woods. As a nitrogen-fixer, it actively improves soil health while providing high-protein forage for wildlife and a critical nectar source for honeybees, bumblebees, and specialized mining bees. For successful cultivation, plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Its deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, though it may require protection from hungry rabbits in its early stages.

Native range

Native to 28 states:

AlabamaArkansasArizonaColoradoGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew MexicoOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Dalea candida

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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