Field Locoweed
Oxytropis campestris
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Italy, Japan, Kuril Is., Labrador, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Anton Hartinger
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Oxytropis
- Species:
- Oxytropis campestris
- USDA Symbol:
- OXCA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat recommended before cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For best germination, seeds should be planted into cells in the fall and subjected to ambient temperature fluctuations. If seed is to be planted in the spring, a slight scarification (fine sandpaper) enables germination to occur but at a lower rate.
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand when pods start opening. The seeds are ripe when brown and hard. The plant is found on dry to mesic soils; including river bars, gravel terraces, open forests, alpine meadows and steppe; from British Columbia south to Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * tiny seed should be scarified with sandpaper or try soaking in boiling water to penetrate seed coat