Oxytropis borealis var. australis
Boreal locoweed
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oxytropis borealis var. australis (Boreal locoweed) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by flower color and inflorescence form.
Boreal locoweed is a native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in pine and aspen meadows to alpine ridges at elevations of 3,300 to 3,900 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to cream flowers in dense, head-like clusters. Growing with sticky, glandular stems, it forms compact clusters up to 20 centimeters tall. Its compound leaves have 23 to 39 leaflets, each 3 to 10 millimeters long, which are flat or slightly folded. Its distinctive white flowers measure 12 to 18 millimeters long, creating delicate clusters in high-elevation alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by flower color and inflorescence form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine and aspen meadows to alpine ridges and outcrops
Elevation: 3300-3900 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Utah, circumboreal
Bloom period
Oxytropis borealis var. australis blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Astragalus: Oxytropis keel petal has sharp pointed beak; Astragalus keel is rounded or blunt.; vs Ornithopus: Oxytropis pods split open; Ornithopus pods break into bead-like segments.; vs Peteria: Oxytropis lacks spiny stipules; Peteria has conspicuous spines at leaf bases.; vs Marina: Oxytropis has beaked keel, loose clusters; Marina has rounded petals, dense 1cm spikes.; vs Acmispon: Oxytropis has beaked keel petal; Acmispon keel is rounded without beak.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oxytropis borealis var. australis native to California?
Yes. Oxytropis borealis var. australis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oxytropis borealis var. australis bloom?
Oxytropis borealis var. australis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Oxytropis borealis var. australis grow?
Oxytropis borealis var. australis occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 3300-3900 m.
What plant family does Oxytropis borealis var. australis belong to?
Oxytropis borealis var. australis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Oxytropis.
What habitat does Oxytropis borealis var. australis grow in?
Oxytropis borealis var. australis grows in Pine and aspen meadows to alpine ridges and outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.