DALEA SPECIES There are several species of Dalea in desert environments. They are members of the legume family (Fabaceae). The largest of them is the smoke tree of the Sonoran Desert. Another species, found in both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, is the feather dalea. Feather dalea (Dalea formosa)
Feather dalea is an inconspicuous, low-growing shrub of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. It seldom reaches more than 1 metre height and it has a "twiggy" untidy appearance. Th leaves are small and pinnate. The flowers are small (about 1 cm) and typical of the legume family (Fabaceae). The petals are maroon, but the upper "banner" petal is yellow. The sepals bear silky hairs that resemble feathers - hence the name, feather dalea.
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