Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea
Blue pendent-pod oxytrope, Blue Pendent-Pod Oxytrope
Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea (Blue pendent-pod oxytrope) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by unique reflexed fruit characteristic.
Blue pendent-pod oxytrope is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the White Mountains of Mono County in moist meadows and forest openings at elevations of 2,800 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces dull white to pale lilac or blue flowers in spike-like clusters with 10 to 25 flowers that quickly bend downward. Growing with few to several green or gray stems, it develops a distinctive structure with elongated peduncles often exceeding 15 centimeters and frequently curved. Its basal and cauline leaves feature 15 to 31 leaflets, each 3 to 20 millimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to ovate in shape and arranged with free or fused stipules. The distinctive fruit emerges as a reflexed, elliptic or oblong pod 3 to 4.5 centimeters long, with a membranous or papery texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; unique reflexed fruit characteristic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows, forest openings
Elevation: 2800-3200 m
California counties: Mono
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, Utah, northern New Mexico
Bloom period
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 deflexa var. sericea native to California?
Yes. Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea bloom?
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea grow?
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea occurs in Mono, at elevations of 2800-3200 m.
What plant family does Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea belong to?
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea is in the Fabaceae family, genus Oxytropis.
Is Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea rare or endangered?
Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.