Showy Locoweed
Oxytropis splendens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Oxytropis
- Species:
- Oxytropis splendens
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Blue, Purple
Native Range
United States: Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Frigid Bumble Bee (Bombus frigidus), Frigid Bumble Bee (Bombus frigidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to alpine and subalpine regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified by a brief 5 to 10 second hot water bath, and immediately transferred to cold water to imbibe for 24 hours. Seeds are cold, moist stratified for 30 days. Inoculation of imbibed seeds with Rhizobium enhances growth and development of seedling.
Establishment: There are variations in the protocols, particularly in the pre-treatment and establishment phase. The synthesized protocol prefers the one with the highest germination rate.
Source: npn.rngr.net