Showy Locoweed
Oxytropis splendens
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Carlp941
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Oxytropis
- Species:
- Oxytropis splendens
- USDA Symbol:
- OXSP
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
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
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 improves germination. Cold stratification beneficial but not always required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * tiny seed should be scarified with sandpaper or try soaking in boiling water to penetrate seed coat