Psorothamnus polydenius
Dotted dalea
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Psorothamnus polydenius (Dotted dalea) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by higher elevation, notched leaflets, and large orange glands are key.
Dotted dalea is a California native shrub found in the southeastern deserts, Mojave Desert, and Imperial County in desert flats, hills, and washes at elevations of 900 to 2,250 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pink-purple flowers in dense spike-like clusters with gland-tipped wing petals. Growing as a spreading shrub less than 1.5 meters tall, it develops thorny branches with fine reflexed hairs and dense orange glands. Its leaves feature 7 to 13 small leaflets, each 1 to 4.5 millimeters long, characteristically obovate to nearly round with notched tips. In maturity, the shrub forms a compact, intricate shape with branches that become increasingly thorny with age.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; higher elevation, notched leaflets, and large orange glands are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally abundant. Desert flats, hills, washes
Elevation: 900-2250 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Imperial, Riverside
Outside California: to eastern Utah
Bloom period
Psorothamnus polydenius blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Psorodendron: Psorothamnus has gland-dotted surfaces and indigo-purple flowers; Psorodendron has smooth surfaces and yellow flowers.; vs Astragalus: Psorothamnus has gland-dotted surfaces and single-seeded pods; Astragalus has smooth surfaces and multi-seeded inflated pods.; vs Dalea: Psorothamnus has petals arising from flower base; Dalea has petals arising from a fused stamen column.; vs Condea: Psorothamnus has pea-shaped flowers; Condea has two-lipped tubular flowers (mint family).; vs Scutellaria: Psorothamnus has pea-shaped flowers; Scutellaria has hooded two-lipped flowers (mint family).
Frequently asked questions
Is Psorothamnus polydenius native to California?
Yes. Psorothamnus polydenius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Psorothamnus polydenius bloom?
Psorothamnus polydenius blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Psorothamnus polydenius grow?
Psorothamnus polydenius occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Imperial, Riverside, at elevations of 900-2250 m.
What plant family does Psorothamnus polydenius belong to?
Psorothamnus polydenius is in the Fabaceae family, genus Psorothamnus.
What habitat does Psorothamnus polydenius grow in?
Psorothamnus polydenius grows in Locally abundant. Desert flats, hills, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Psorothamnus schottii — Indigo-bush
- Psorothamnus sp. — Indigo-bush
- Psorothamnus spinosus — Smoke tree
- Psorothamnus arborescens — Mojave indigo-bush
- Psorothamnus arborescens var. arborescens — Mojave indigo bush
- Psorothamnus arborescens var. californicus — California indigo bush
- Robinia neomexicana — New mexico locust
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.