Oxytropis sericea, June 28, 2020
Common & scientific name
White locoweed, Oxytropis sericea
Family
Pea, Fabaceae
Location
Twin Lakes, 9,200’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Locoweed gets its name from the numerous problems it has caused in domestic livestock. Locoweeds contain an alkaloid that disrupts cellular function in these animals. According to Montana Plant Life, “locoism causes depression, incoordination, and nervousness under stress. Death can result. The cellular problems occur most readily in tissues of the nervous system. Pregnant animals often abort or give birth to young with congenital deformities. Congestive right heart disease occurs at high altitudes.”