Dalea candida

The prairie clovers are easy to grow from seed. Seeds should be planted in the spring after receiving cold/moist stratification and scarification (Steffen 1997) . If planted in the fall, stratification is not required. Seeds should be inoculated with an appropriate legume inoculant at planting time. The number of seeds per pound can vary from 384,000 to 181,000. Nine seeds per square foot is the recommended rate for restoration. White prairie clover is very ornamental and is sometimes included in tea gardens.

Weaver reported that white and purple prairie clovers were the third most important legume and the eighth most important forb of upland prairies (Weaver 1934). The genus name "Dalea" in named in honor of English botanist Samuel Dale (1659-1739). The species name "candida" means "of dazzling white." The roots were eaten raw by Indians as chewing gum but have a very strong (acquired) taste. The leaves were collected during the summer, dried and used to make tea. The roots have also been reported to be used for making tea. According to Weaver, white prairie clover roots extend downward 3.5 - 6 feet.

Dry prairies and dry upland woods.