Purple Locoweed is a native perennial wildflower of dry plains and shortgrass prairies with silvery, hairy leaves and showy purple pea-like flowers. Despite its attractive appearance, it is toxic to horses, cattle, and sheep when consumed regularly, causing a selenium-like neurological condition. It is an important nitrogen-fixer in prairie soils.
Best time to see a Purple Locoweed
The best time to see a Purple Locoweed is May–June, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,097 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Purple Locoweed? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Purple Locoweed sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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