field locoweed
ExplorePlants
field locoweed
Oxytropis campestris
Field locoweed is a pretty plant with small purple flowers that grow in fields and grasslands. It has fuzzy leaves and can be found in many places across North America.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The field locoweed is a low-growing, clumping plant with silvery-hairy, fern-like leaves. It produces pea-shaped flowers, typically purplish-blue or white, grouped tightly on leafless stalks, making it stand out from typical grasses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusOxytropis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Eating too much locoweed makes animals "loco" or crazy, causing strange behaviors!
Its seeds are tough cookies and can stay dormant in the soil for many years before sprouting!
Some people call it "rattlepod" because its dried seed pods sometimes make a fun rattling sound!
The plant's fuzzy leaves act like tiny sunshades and sponges, helping it save precious water!
Special abilities
Ability
Tough Terrain Master
Field locoweed can thrive in rocky, dry soils, helping it survive where many other plants struggle to grow.
Ability
Deep Root Explorer
It has a very long taproot that helps it reach deep groundwater, surviving long periods of drought.
Ability
Nitrogen Fueler
This plant partners with soil bacteria to pull nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil for itself and its neighbors.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-40 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Western Bumblebee
Bombus occidentalis
Visits the flowers to collect nectar and spread pollen.
symbiotic with
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Lives in root nodules, converting air nitrogen into plant food.
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Can be poisoned if they consume large quantities of the plant.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or eat any plants without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is field locoweed?
10-40 cm
How wide does field locoweed spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on field locoweed?
1-2 cm
When does field locoweed bloom?
Late spring to summer
Is field locoweed edible?
No
Is field locoweed toxic?
High
What is field locoweed's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is field locoweed pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park14 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Lockhart Beach Provincial Park
You might spot Douglas Fir, Silverleaf Phacelia, and Rocky Mountain Maple.
View guide →
Park20 sightings4 species
British Columbia, CA
Stemwinder Provincial Park
You might spot Field Locoweed, Silky Lupine, and Wax Currant.
View guide →
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