Oxytropis borealis var. viscida
Sticky oxytrope
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida (Sticky oxytrope) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by spike-like inflorescence and flower color patterns.
Sticky oxytrope is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in aspen meadows to alpine areas at elevations of 3,300 to 3,900 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to lilac flowers with purple or red-purple keel tips, arranged in compact spike-like clusters. Growing with sticky-glandular stems, it forms a delicate alpine plant approximately 15 to 25 centimeters tall. Its compound leaves feature 23 to 39 leaflets, each 3 to 10 millimeters long, typically flat or slightly folded. The flowers emerge in clusters of 5 to 20, creating a distinctive alpine bloom.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by spike-like inflorescence and flower color patterns
Habitat and range
Habitat: Aspen meadows to alpine
Elevation: 3300-3900 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: northeastern Oregon, Montana to Colorado, circumboreal
Bloom period
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida 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. viscida native to California?
Yes. Oxytropis borealis var. viscida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oxytropis borealis var. viscida bloom?
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Oxytropis borealis var. viscida grow?
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 3300-3900 m.
What plant family does Oxytropis borealis var. viscida belong to?
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida is in the Fabaceae family, genus Oxytropis.
What habitat does Oxytropis borealis var. viscida grow in?
Oxytropis borealis var. viscida grows in Aspen meadows to alpine.
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.