Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila
Rock-loving oxytrope, Rock-Loving Oxytrope
Photo: parent species Oxytropis oreophila · (c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila (Rock-loving oxytrope) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by leaflet count and inflorescence height.
Rock-loving oxytrope is a rare California native (CNPS 2B.3) perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains in open gravelly or rocky ground at elevations of 2,700 to 3,800 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces pink-purple or white flowers in clusters of 2 to 12 flowers, each approximately 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing as a dense, sometimes loosely clustered plant with ascending stems, it forms compact clumps in high-elevation alpine environments. Its leaves are composed of 7 to 17 small elliptic to oblong leaflets, each 2 to 10 millimeters long and typically folded. The distinctive fruit is ascending or erect, measuring 9 to 17 millimeters long and 7 to 9 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated by leaflet count and inflorescence height
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open gravelly or rocky ground, talus, at or above treeline
Elevation: 2700-3800 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 oreophila var. oreophila native to California?
Yes. Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila bloom?
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila blooms Jul.
Where in California does Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila grow?
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 2700-3800 m.
What plant family does Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila belong to?
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila is in the Fabaceae family, genus Oxytropis.
Is Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila rare or endangered?
Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Oxytropis parryi — Parry's oxytrope
- Oxytropis sp. — Locoweed
- Oxytropis borealis — Boreal locoweed
- Oxytropis borealis var. australis — Boreal locoweed
- Oxytropis borealis var. viscida — Sticky oxytrope
- Oxytropis deflexa var. sericea — Blue pendent-pod oxytrope
- Paraserianthes lophantha — Plume albizia
- Paraserianthes sp.
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.