Wooly Locoweed – Plant

LATIN NAME
Astragalus mollissimus

LONGEVITY
Perennial

SEASON
Warm

ORIGIN
Native

DETAILS:

• This plant is highly toxic to livestock. The toxin is swainsonine, which causes damage to the brain, liver, digestive organs, placenta, and testes.
• Growth is 4-16 inches, from a woody root that gives rise to stems lying close to the ground.
• The flowers can be purple, lavender or yellow, emerging April to June.
• The leaves and stems are densely covered with silver-white hairs, giving it the name, “Wooly”.
• Adapted to dry, sandy, and rocky soils of open prairies and hillsides.

QUALITY TRAITS