Hairy prairie clover facts for kids

Dalea mollis is a type of flowering plant often called the hairy prairie clover. It belongs to the legume family, just like peas and beans!

Where It Grows

This pretty wildflower naturally grows in the deserts of California and Arizona in the United States. You can also find it in Northwestern Mexico.

It's very common in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert areas. It often grows in small, flat patches on rocky desert ground. You might also spot it on hillsides or even along roads.

What It Looks Like

Dalea mollis is a small plant that grows close to the ground, forming a mat. It's an annual plant, which means it lives for only one growing season.

Its leaves and stems are covered in many long, white hairs, making it look "hairy." The leaves are made of several tiny, folded, oval-shaped parts, each about one centimeter long.

The plant produces small, pea-like flowers. These blooms are just under a centimeter wide. They can be lavender, yellow, or white, and sometimes have two colors. After the flowers, the plant makes a small fruit. This fruit is a legume pod with just one seed inside.