Purple
Prairie Clover Petalostemum purpureum
Description: The herb is a member of the Leguminose,
legume, or pea family. It is a native, warm-season herb which grows to a height
of 30 to 90 cm. Several stems may grow from a single base. It has deep
branching roots.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate and compound,
divided into 3-5 narrow leaflets which may be sparingly hairy.
Flower: Pinkish-purple
flowers form a fringe around the bottom of elongated spikes which are 2 to 4 cm
long.
Blooming months: June through August
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Discussion: This
plant is highly palatable and nutritious for many animals. Purple Prairie
Clover fixes nitrogen which enriches the soil. It has been reported that tea
made from the leaves of this plant has a binding or constipating effect. The
prairie clovers had a wide variety of uses from tea and flour to medicine and
brooms.
Distribution:
Purple Prairie Clover is most abundant in the upland of the True Prairie.
This species ranges from Saskatchewan and Montana in the north to Tennessee and
New Mexico in the south
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers
Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Plants
of
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