Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens)

   
   

Black Dalea. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Black Dalea, Black Indigobush
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Dalea frutescens (DAY-lee-uh froo-TESS-ens)
• Family: Fabaceae-Papilionoideae (Pea Family)
• Geographic Range: Southern Oklahoma, central Texas west to New Mexico and south into Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León.
• Plant Form: Deciduous shrub, 3' H x 4' W.
• Remarks: Slender, widely branching stems form low mounding shrub of medium green compound leaves. Nearly covered with short spikes of small, brilliant rose-purple flowers in late summer to mid-fall. Low water, full sun or light part shade, good drainage. Stem hardy to 15° F., root hardy to 0° F. Attracts bees. Sold commercially as "Sierra Negra"™.
  

Last Update: 24 Jan 2003