Dalea obovata
Field & Lab. 17: 84. 1949.
Perennial herbs, short-lived, erect, ± lanate-pilose. Stems to 5.5 dm, sparsely dotted with small, raised glands. Principal leaves (2–)2.5–5 cm; leaflets 7–11, blades obovate, (8–)10–16 mm, surfaces eglandular. Peduncles 0–3(–10) cm. Inflorescences spikes, densely flowered, not involucrate, (12–)14–20 mm diam.; axis not visible, 3.5–11 cm; bracts early deciduous, interfloral ones often held in place by crowded flowers, 5.5–11 mm. Calyces± asymmetric, slightly recessed opposite banner, 3.3–5.8 mm, pilose; tube (1.3–)1.4–2.1 mm, with 1 or 2 small glands between ribs, lobes triangular-aristate. Corollas white, ochroleucous in drying; not conventionally papilionaceous; banner (3.5–)4–7 mm, blade ovate-oblong, (2–)2.2–2.9(–3.1) × 1.2–2 mm; epistemonous petals attached at or just proximal to separation of filaments, blades 2–3.2 × 0.5–0.9 mm. Stamens 5, (4.5–)5–6.6 mm, filaments distinct to 1–2.2 mm, anthers 0.6–0.8 mm. Legumes 2.7–3 mm, pilosulous distally, eglandular. Seeds 1.7 mm.
Phenology: Flowering spring (fall–early winter).
Habitat: Sandy, open ground on and near Gulf Coastal Plain.
Elevation: 0–400 m.
Distribution
Tex.
Discussion
Dalea obovata occurs in the southern coastal plain of Texas as far north and west as Frio, Medina, and Travis counties.
Selected References
None.