Mountain Locoweed (Oxytropis oreophila)

Mountain Locoweed (Oxytropis oreophila)

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Mountain Oxytrope (Oxytropis oreophila)
Mountain Oxytrope (Oxytropis oreophila)

Common Names: Mountain Oxytrope, Mountain Locoweed
Synonyms: Oxytropis oreophila
Taxonomy: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Habit: Forb (Perennial)
Flowers: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Leaves: alternate
Fruit: Legume
Description:

Plants are small, especially in alpine regions, and lack stems; leaves and flower stalks grow directly from the base. Stalks, leaves and calyces have a covering of relatively long, silvery hairs. Leaflets are folded up along the leaf axis. Flowers are produced in compact clusters of between two and 12. Corollas are purple/pink to nearly white, darker when withered. Clusters may rise a little way above the leaves, or be held within. Flowers are conspicuous though small, around half an inch long. Fruits are short, inflated, hairy, egg-shaped pods, around half an inch long, angled upwards when mature.

Distribution: AZ, CA, NV, UT
Habitat: Oxytropis oreophila is most widespread on the plateaus of southern Utah, and is also found in other mountainous areas to the west and south.