Dalea foliosa, commonly known as Leafy Prairie Clover, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the prairies and glades of the Midwestern United States, particularly in Tennessee and adjacent states. It typically grows 20 to 80 centimeters tall, with multiple erect stems emerging from a woody root crown. The leaves are pinnately compound with hairless oval leaflets up to 1.3 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a dense, cone-shaped or cylindrical spike of many small, vibrant purple flowers with pointed green bracts at their base, blooming in the summer months. The flowers are notably attractive to bumblebees, which are the primary pollinators. Seeds of Dalea foliosa have a remarkable longevity, able to remain viable in a soil seed bank for up to 8 years.

Leafy Prairie Clover is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which enriches the soil, and its drought tolerance, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and restoration projects. It is also used in prairie gardens and native plant landscapes for its showy purple flowers and its ability to attract pollinators. This species thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. While it can tolerate medium to low water conditions, it does not do well in overly wet soils. It is generally low-maintenance once established but can be difficult to find in the nursery trade.CC BY-SA 4.0