Locoweeds

Several species from the genus Oxytropis are

known in North America by the Spanish-English

name locoweed, "crazy weed" (cf. Astragalus spp.),

and have toxic or psychotropic properties (Turner

and Szczawinski 1992, 122*). The Indians used

some species for medicinal purposes (Johnston

1970,314*). Several species were used as a ritual or

medicinal wash during sweathouse ceremonies

(Moerman 1986, 320 f.*). In Mexico, the species

Oxytropis lamberti Pursh. is called hierba loca, "crazy

herb" (Martinez 1987,427*; Reko 1938, 185*).