Nuttall's Locoweed

Scientific Name:
Astragalus nuttallii
Description

Also known as “rattle weed,” Nuttall’s locoweed is a leafy plant with cream-colored flowers, sometimes with a lavender tint. The stem may be covered in fine hairs, and the leaves are grayish on the coast when exposed to salt spray.

Behaviors

Locoweed is a legume, which means bacteria live around its roots and provide it with important nutrients like nitrogen. Another example of a legume is a peanut. Some species contain toxins, which can make cows and horses a little crazy, or “loco,” when they eat them.

Nature Topics
Plants and Geology

Habitat

Feeding

Close-up view of Nuttall’s locoweed, showing tall cream-colored flower spikes and fern-like green leaves growing in a dense clump on a dry, grassy hillside.

Photo credit: ©Kip Evans

Nuttall's Locoweed relies on

  • Line drawing on the sun

    Sun

  • Line drawing of a water drop

    Water

  • Line drawing of a plant above ground and its roots below ground

    Nutrients