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Fabaceae
Purple Locoweed
Oxytropis lambertii
Prairie danger.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Oxytropis
- Native to
- Great Plains, Rocky Mountains
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 0.5-1 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- dry, sandy or rocky, well-drained, prairie or mountain
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Locoweed contains the alkaloid swainsonine, which interferes with enzyme function in livestock and causes 'locoism' — a neurological syndrome marked by erratic, 'crazy' (loco) behavior.
- Despite its toxicity to livestock, the plant is beautiful enough to be grown as an ornamental in xeriscape and native prairie gardens far from grazing animals.
- Selenium hyperaccumulation in locoweed makes it toxic in selenium-rich soils, but the same property makes it a useful indicator plant for selenium deposits.
- The genus name Oxytropis means 'sharp keel' in Greek, referring to the pointed tip of the boat-shaped keel petal that distinguishes it from true Astragalus milkvetches.
- Prairie dogs, pronghorn, and various insects feed on locoweed without ill effects, illustrating how toxicity can be highly species-specific.
Color meanings
0
deceptive beauty
1
warning
2
wildness