Oxytropis deflexa (Reflexed Locoweed) - photos and description
Flowering stem ending in pods, an example of a flowering stem with
several leaves
Flowering stem ending in a flower spike, an example of a flowering
stem with several leaves
Keel has a sharp point
Keel has a sharp point
Stem growing along the ground with seed pods
General: Decumbent or straggling plants with silky
hairy foliage, the foliage appearing greyish-green, the lower stems
reddish in colour. Unlike other Saskatchewan Oxytropis species, this
plant has flowering stems with leaves (plants are caulescent).
Flowers: Flowers cream to pale blue to mauve in colour.
Flowers grow in spikes and are fairly small, we measured the flower
(calyx + corolla) to only 8 mm long. Keels have a sharp point. The calyx
sometimes with black hairs. The calyx with linear lobes, we measured the
lobes to 4 mm long.
Fruit: The inflorescence lengthens considerably as fruit develop. We measured the inflorescence with pods present at 14 cm long. Pods measured at 20 mm long by 5 mm wide. Pods with a groove along their top surface.
Leaves: Leaves are alternate, flat, pinnate to 43 leaflets, leaflets lanceolate. We measured a leaf at 15 cm long, and a leaflet at 20 mm long by 7 mm long.
Height: Height not given in Budd's Flora, they list the stem length to 40 cm long; we measured plants to 30 cm tall, and stems to 60 cm long.
Habitat: Open woods and meadows in the parklands and boreal forest.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Origin: Native.
When and where photographed: The above photos were taken July 27th, grassy aspen woodland, east central Saskatchewan, about 250 km northeast of our home in Regina, SK.