Silver Dalea (Dalea bicolor var. argyraea)

   

Silver Dalea. Photograph by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Silver Dalea, Silver Bush Dalea
• Common Spanish Names: Ramón, Engordacabras
• Scientific Name: (DAY-lee-uh BI-kul-ore var. are-JI-ree-uh)
• Family: Fabaceae-Papilioniodeae (Pea Family)
• Geographic Range: Rocky limestone hills of the Trans-Pecos east to Val Verde County in Texas, southern New Mexico, and in Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León, Mexico.
• Plant Form: Evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub 3 x 3'.
• Remarks: Erect, semi-evergreen, mounding shrub with compound leaflets densely covered with silvery gray hairs. Silver foliage contrasts sharply with heads of vivid purple and yellow pea-like flower, late summer to fall. Requires low water, full sun, well draining soil. Moderately cold hardy to at least 20°. Loses foliage with hard freeze.

Last Update: 24 Jan 2003