Oxytropis campestris var. minor
Oxytropis campestris var. roaldii
field locoweed, oxytrope mineur
roald's locoweed
(2–)3–10(–13) cm;
stipules glabrous or glabrate abaxially, margins eciliate;
leaflets 11–23(–27), opposite or subopposite, blades 2–10 mm.
2–11 cm;
stipules glabrous or strigose abaxially, margins ± ciliate, apex often bristly;
leaflets 11–21, scattered or opposite, blades 4–8.5 mm.
(3–)5–9-flowered, subcapitate.
usually 8–12(–14)-flowered, subcapitate or somewhat elongate.
curved-ascending, 3–15(–18) cm, axis 0.3–1.5 cm in fruit.
3–12 cm, axis 1.5–4.5 cm in fruit.
purple fading violet, 11–18 mm.
lavender or pink-purple, sometimes polychrome, 13–16(–17) mm.
tube 5–6.5 mm, lobes deltate, 0.5–1.5(–2) mm.
tube (3.7–)4.5–5 mm, lobes (1–)1.2–2(–2.7) mm.
10–22 × 3.5–5 mm.
9–15 × 4–6 mm.
= 48.
= 64.
Oxytropis campestris var. minor
Oxytropis campestris var. roaldii
Putative reports of var. minor from the Mackenzie Mountains are probably referable to the purple-flowered var. roaldii, from which var. minor differs in its flowers that average larger, and in the longer calyx tube. There are several specimens from Churchill, Manitoba, that have been variously assigned to vars. johannensis, minor, or varians. Field studies of these populations need to be undertaken to resolve this problem. The Pan-Arctic Flora (http://panarcticflora.org/) treats this taxon as a distinct species, Oxytropis terrae-novae (with O. campestris var. johannensis as a synonym).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Variety roaldii has flowers that are usually larger, calyx lobes that are usually longer, and other subtle differences aside from flower color that allow segregation from var. jordalii. However, there are intermediate specimens, and in some places, especially on gravel bars, flower color grades within populations. A similar pattern is to be noted between the partially sympatric vars. davisii and spicata in the mountains of Alberta, and between other varieties situated elsewhere. The Pan-Arctic Flora (http://panarcticflora.org/) recognizes Oxytropis roaldii as a distinct species.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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