Woolly Locoweed: A Beautiful but Dangerous Native Plant to Avoid in Your Garden
When it comes to native plants, not all of them belong in our gardens – and woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus) is a perfect example of why. While this perennial wildflower might catch your eye with its attractive silvery foliage and purple blooms, it’s earned the nickname locoweed for a very serious reason.
What is Woolly Locoweed?
Woolly locoweed is a native perennial plant that’s been growing wild across the American West and Great Plains for centuries. You’ll find this silvery-leafed beauty naturally occurring in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Despite its native status and undeniable charm, this plant has a dark secret that makes it completely unsuitable for home gardens.
Why You Should Never Plant Woolly Locoweed
Here’s the deal: woolly locoweed contains toxic alkaloids, particularly swainsonine, that can cause serious poisoning in livestock, pets, and potentially humans. The plant gets its common name because animals that graze on it can develop neurological symptoms that make them appear crazy or loco. This isn’t just an old wives’ tale – it’s a genuine safety concern that has plagued ranchers for generations.
The toxicity doesn’t diminish when the plant is dried, meaning even dead plant material remains dangerous. For this reason alone, responsible gardeners should steer clear of introducing this species to their landscapes.
Identifying Woolly Locoweed
If you’re hiking or exploring natural areas within its native range, you might encounter woolly locoweed in the wild. Here’s how to identify it:
- Distinctive silvery-gray, woolly foliage that feels soft to the touch
- Purple to pink flowers arranged in dense, spike-like clusters
- Low-growing perennial that thrives in dry, sandy, or rocky soils
- Blooms typically appear in late spring to early summer
- Grows in full sun locations across USDA hardiness zones 4-8
Safe Native Alternatives for Your Garden
Just because woolly locoweed isn’t garden-appropriate doesn’t mean you have to give up on native plants with similar appeal! Consider these safe alternatives that offer comparable beauty without the toxicity concerns:
- Purple Prairie Clover – Offers similar purple blooms and attracts pollinators
- Wild Bergamot – Native perennial with purple flowers and aromatic foliage
- Leadplant – Silvery foliage with purple flower spikes
- Prairie Sage – Provides the silvery-gray foliage appeal without the danger
The Bottom Line
While woolly locoweed plays an important role in its native ecosystems and does provide nectar for native pollinators in the wild, it simply has no place in home gardens or landscapes. The risk to family members, pets, and any grazing animals is too great to justify its ornamental value.
Instead, celebrate this plant’s natural beauty from a safe distance during your outdoor adventures, and choose one of the many safe native alternatives for your own garden. Your family, pets, and local wildlife will thank you for making the responsible choice!
