Purple Locoweed, Lambert Locoweed, Locoweed, Crazyweed

(Oxytropis lambertii Pursh.)

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Seedlings ▲

flowering plants ▼▲

flowers ▼▲

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PURPLE LOCOWEED:   (pp. 318-319 in Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

Purple locoweed is found in prairies of the central plains and westward in the U.S.   It is toxic to livestock, particularly horses, due to alkaloid content. 

It can be distinguished from Astragalus locoweeds by the lack of elongated internodes on upright, ascending or trailing above ground stems that Astragalus species often have (Oxytropis species have more of a crown where both leaves and flower stems emerge), and by the little extension or hook from the center of the base of the lower petal "lip" on Oxytropis species not seen on Astragalus species.

The flowers are very showy, and are produced in mid to late spring.