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Smith, R.W.

Oxytropis sericea

Oxytropis sericea Nutt.

White Locoweed, Silky Locoweed

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: OXSE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A densely tufted, grayish, hairy plant with racemes of white or cream pea flowers held just above basal leaves on long stalks.

This species has been implicated in the poisoning of domestic livestock. In some areas it has purple petals, the result of hybridization with Purple Locoweed (O. lambertii), but the hairs on the hybrid's leaves are attached by the base rather than by a bisecting stalk.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CO , ID , KS , MT , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WY
Canada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: Western Canada south across Montana to southern Idaho, northeastern Nevada, and southern Utah, and on western Great Plains to central New Mexico, central Oklahoma, and northern Texas.
Native Habitat: Prairies, mountain meadows, and open mountain slopes.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry

Benefit

Warning: Plant poisonous
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Oxytropis sericea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Oxytropis sericea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Oxytropis sericea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-07-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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