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Oxytropis lambertii - Pursh.

Common Name Crazy Weed, Purple locoweed
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards The plant is toxic to cattle, does it concentrate selenium from the soil[200]? Horses that eat this plant become very difficult to handle and can imagine that a pebble is a large rock or that a wide stream is only narrow[207]. The plant contains toxins, possibly indolizidine alkaloids. The toxin can accumulate in the body and causes trembling, high excitability, paralysis and death[274].
Habitats Dry prairies, calcareous gravels and bluffs[43]. Limestone outcrops in Texas[274].
Range N. America - Minnesota to N Dakota, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, south to Texas and New Mexico
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Oxytropis lambertii Crazy Weed, Purple locoweed


Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Oxytropis lambertii Crazy Weed, Purple locoweed
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Oxytropis lambertii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Root[105, 161, 177]. The whole plant, including the roots, is eaten by horses[257]. No further details are given, but caution is advised, see notes at top of page. Used to make a mush, or parched and used for food[257]. This report is probably referring to the seeds[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in an ordinary garden soil but prefers a sandy loam[1]. Best in a deep, gritty perfectly drained soil in full sun[200]. Strongly resents winter wet[200]. A very ornamental[1] and variable plant[235]. Plants resent root disturbance and so should be pot-grown then and planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria called Rhizobia. These bacteria form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen, plants may fail to flourish due to the absence of the appropriate Rhizobium species. Some of the nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in a greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the cotyledons emerge in order to avoid damage to the root. Grow them on in the greenhouse and plant them out the following spring[200]. Division in spring[1]. Since the plant resents root disturbance this might not be a good idea.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

43200235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Lawler Barnes   Sun May 31 2009

Nature Abhors a Garden Nature Abhors a Garden for 5/24/09 discusses the fact a fungus is now considered to be the source of toxicity in Oxytropis lambertii.

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