Small shrub to 1 m (3 ft) tall, divaricately branched. Twigs glabrous, gland-dotted when young. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate, 3-12 mm (0.1-0.5 in) long, glabrous, gland-dotted. Leaflets usually 6-12, oblanceolate or narrowly obovate, 1-7 mm (0.04-0.3 in) long, usually folded. Inflorescence subcapitate spikes terminal on branches and spur-shoots, 2-9 flowered. Flowers yellowish to rose-purple, about 10 mm (0.4 in) long. Fruits legumes about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, pilose and glandular. Flowers and fruits appear from June to September.
Distribution: Southeastern Colorado southward to Mexico.
Habitat: Dry rocky hillsides.
NWI status: none
Comment: The foliage is browsed by deer. Dalea honors the English botanist Samuel Dale; formosa refers to the pretty flowers.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/10/99
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