Audubon to the rescue! It is not in the composite (aster) family but in the pea family. Each of what looks like a petal is actually a tiny flower. "This is one of the most widespread of the perennial Prairie Clovers, identifiable by their cone-like flower heads. An excellent range species, with high protein content. Purple Prairie Clover decreases in abundance with overgrazing." So says The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. This is the first year I've had purple prairie clover in my meadow but assume it was in the original wildflower mix I seeded some years back and only now is beginning to bloom.
Very beautiful plant...I don't think I've ever seen one like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it's more common down on the Indiana, Illinois and maybe Kansas and Missouri prairies. A friend up here at the top of the Leelanau peninsula tried to get some to grow and could only nurse along one plant. Now that mine is well established, however, it should go on and on--I hope!
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