Population Decline of White Locoweed

Abstract

Many Astragalus and Oxytropis species are endemic (growing on specific soils and geographical areas), but white locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) is the most widespread locoweed in the western United States, growing on short-grass prairies and eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains from Montana to New Mexico. Its preferred habitat is rocky soils, where its long taproot can access deep percolated water allowing it to survive drought, temperature, and wind stress.