Both areas apparently had mulch from the 1985 vegetation. Forty one seedlings were in the demographic plot in 1987. Although fall burned in 1987, no seedlings were found in the severe drought of 1988 that persisted through spring 1989 or in subsequent years. A spring burn in 1989 under drought conditions did not result in any seedlings even though moisture increased by the summer of 1989 and 1990 was very wet. Thus, the combination of a spring burn followed by adequate moisture during the growing season has produced the only natural reproduction noted.
Grazing is most severe in drought years.
By late July in drought years, most vegetation growing with this species is withered and brown, but the Dalea remains conspicuously green. Its green and succulent leaves seem to draw more attention to it during drought. Spring fire stimulates seedling germination if followed by normal moisture. It apparently accomplishes this through scarification of seed. Frost heave mortality was high in 1988 following the fall burn of 1987.