Dalea ornata
Ornate dalea, Ornate Dalea
(c) Michael O'Loughlin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Dalea ornata (Ornate dalea) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Ornate dalea is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau, specifically in Shaffer Mountains of Lassen County, on open, rocky hillsides at elevations around 1,400 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces pale lavender to rose-purple flowers in compact, ovoid inflorescences with delicate silky-haired calyxes. Growing with clustered, ascending stems 25 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters in its rocky habitat. Its leaves are composed of 5 to 7 widely ovate to elliptic leaflets, each 10 to 20 millimeters long, arranged along slender stems. Its distinctive rose-purple banner petals measure 7 to 9 millimeters, creating a delicate and ornate appearance against the rocky landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky hillsides
Elevation: 1400 m
California counties: Lassen
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Dalea ornata blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Astragalus: Dalea has gland-dotted sticky stems; Astragalus stems are smooth or hairy but not glandular.; vs Stillingia: Dalea has pea flowers in spikes; Stillingia has tiny flowers without pea structure.; vs Psorothamnus: Dalea has 5 stamens with petals on fused column; Psorothamnus has 10 stamens.; vs Eriogonum: Dalea has compound leaves and pea flowers; Eriogonum has simple leaves and tiny clustered flowers.; vs Psorodendron: Check if stems are gland-dotted and count stamens (Dalea has 5).
Frequently asked questions
Is Dalea ornata native to California?
Yes. Dalea ornata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dalea ornata bloom?
Dalea ornata blooms Jun.
Where in California does Dalea ornata grow?
Dalea ornata occurs in Lassen, at elevations of 1400 m.
What plant family does Dalea ornata belong to?
Dalea ornata is in the Fabaceae family, genus Dalea.
Is Dalea ornata rare or endangered?
Dalea ornata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.