[1][2] The species is found through arid regions of the southwestern United States and can survive in low moisture conditions.

All Dalea species descended from a common ancestor, but members of the Marina (false prairie clovers) also fall into this clade.

While the plant is rarer than many legume species, metapopulations can be found in southeastern California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

They are capable of surviving in a wide variety of soil conditions ranging from clay-rich to sandy substrates to rocky flats,[4] however their biological fitness and yield declines in high clay.

Leaves are odd-pinnately compounded (consisting of typically 5 or 7 leaflets, but can range from 3-11 depending on age and health), alternating, and deciduous.

[4][6] Both genetic drift and gene flow are determinants of the local population structures of Searls’ prairie clover.

[4] Phenotypic traits of the species vary with population and geographic location as a result of genetic and environmental factors.

This symbiosis improves soil nitrogen content and adds to the nutritional forage quality for herbivorous animals.

[8][4] Compared to other legumes, Searls’ prairie clover is a suitable herbivore food source as it lacks toxic compounds.

Consumption of Searls’ prairie clover has been shown to be an excellent nutrient source, consisting of 17-20% crude protein, and is hypothesized to prevent bloating.

[4] A newly identified species, Dalea janosensis collected from Chihuahua, Mexico is morphologically similar to D. searlsiae.

[9] Legume species are in high demand for land revegetation and restoration efforts due to their symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia bacteria.

The presence of legumes alongside their rhizobial symbionts is desired in restoration, revegetation, and reclamation efforts to improve soil nutrient characteristics.

In 2011, Bhattarai and Bushman proposed the use of Searls' prairie clover in rangeland reclamation in the southwestern USA.

The rationale for using D. searlsiae in restoration projects is attributed to its rehabilitation of soil nutrient conditions and attraction of pollinators.

[6][4][10] The ‘Fanny’ germplasm originates from seeds found at Patterson Pass in east-central Nevada and is recommended for USDA plant hardiness zone 5b.

The ‘Carmel’ germplasm originates from the Colorado Plateau of south-central Utah and is recommended for USDA plant hardiness zone 7a.

The Bonneville germplasm was sourced from NW Utah near the Nevada border in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b.