---
{
  "id": "white-locoweed",
  "name": "White locoweed",
  "scientific": "Oxytropis sericea",
  "category": "native",
  "status": "Colorado native",
  "status_sources": [
    "F-locoweed"
  ],
  "warning": "Toxic to livestock",
  "warning_tone": "danger",
  "aliases": [
    "silky crazyweed",
    "whitepoint locoweed"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "The USFS synthesis dates to 1993; its taxonomy and cited studies are retained as historical evidence. No pet dose is inferred from livestock studies.",
  "source_ids": [
    "F-locoweed",
    "A-loco"
  ],
  "description": "White locoweed: Toxic to livestock. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "F-locoweed"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-locoweed-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "F-locoweed"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-locoweed-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Human exposure effects were not established in the reviewed livestock sources; this is not a food plant recommendation.",
      "id": "white-locoweed-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "white-locoweed-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "F-locoweed",
        "A-loco"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific persistence; locoweed-group clinical effects",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-locoweed-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-locoweed-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-locoweed-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/white-locoweed.md"
}
---

# White locoweed

*Oxytropis sericea*

**Colorado native.** [F-locoweed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/oxyser)

> **Toxic to livestock.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** The USFS synthesis dates to 1993; its taxonomy and cited studies are retained as historical evidence. No pet dose is inferred from livestock studies.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Oxytropis sericea: Dry tan pods clustered along a stalk, some split open near their tips.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-oxytropis-sericea-1.jpg)

**seed pods** — Dry tan pods clustered along a stalk, some split open near their tips.

Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxytropis_sericea_(7352491560).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Oxytropis_sericea_%287352491560%29.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Oxytropis sericea: A flowering patch with numerous upright clusters of white pea-shaped flowers and pinnate leaves below.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-oxytropis-sericea-2.jpg)

**flowers and foliage** — A flowering patch with numerous upright clusters of white pea-shaped flowers and pinnate leaves below.

Photo: Matt Lavin; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxytropis_sericea_1.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Oxytropis_sericea_1.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Oxytropis sericea: Low pinnate foliage and several erect stalks of pale flowers growing from gravelly ground.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-oxytropis-sericea-3.jpg)

**whole plant** — Low pinnate foliage and several erect stalks of pale flowers growing from gravelly ground.

Photo: Kenraiz; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxytropis_sericea_kz01.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Oxytropis_sericea_kz01.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

A low perennial with pinnately compound leaves and pale pea-like flowers; use a botanical key to separate similar locoweeds. [F-locoweed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/oxyser)

## Plants & habitat

Native on open western plains and mountain sites, with persistent seed banks. Occurrence alone is not proof of an invasive-weed problem. [F-locoweed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/oxyser)

## People

Human exposure effects were not established in the reviewed livestock sources; this is not a food plant recommendation. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

Locoweeds can cause neurological damage, wasting and reproductive harm in livestock, including horses. White locoweed remains poisonous when dried. Keep it out of feed and seek livestock-veterinary advice. [F-locoweed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/oxyser) [A-loco](https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/locoweed-astragalus-and-oxytropis-spp/)

*Evidence scope: Species-specific persistence; locoweed-group clinical effects.*

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **F-locoweed** — [Oxytropis sericea species review](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/oxyser), US Forest Service. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:18+00:00. Locator: Description, distribution, hazards, management; see claim locator.
- **A-loco** — [Locoweed (Astragalus and Oxytropis spp.)](https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/locoweed-astragalus-and-oxytropis-spp/), USDA Agricultural Research Service. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:18+00:00. Locator: Description, distribution, hazards, management; see claim locator.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=white-locoweed) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

The USFS synthesis dates to 1993; its taxonomy and cited studies are retained as historical evidence. No pet dose is inferred from livestock studies.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| white-locoweed-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | F-locoweed | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| white-locoweed-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | F-locoweed | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| white-locoweed-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | Human exposure effects were not established in the reviewed livestock sources; this is not a food plant recommendation. |
| white-locoweed-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| white-locoweed-5 | Other animals | Species-specific persistence; locoweed-group clinical effects | F-locoweed, A-loco | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-locoweed/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-locoweed/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-locoweed/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json