Taxon Report

Oxytropis oreophila Gray var. oreophila

rock-loving oxytrope

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Taxon Summary

Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila, commonly known as rock-loving oxytrope, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Alpine boulder and rock field, and Subalpine coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 3400 to 3800 meters. Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Oxytropis oreophila Gray var. oreophila
Common Name:	rock-loving oxytrope
Family:	Fabaceae
Element Code:	PDFAB2X0H3
USDA Plants Symbol:	OXORO
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Sep	Jun-Sep
Elevation:	3400-3800 (11155-12470)
General Habitats:	Alpine boulder and rock field, Subalpine coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Gravelly (sometimes), Rocky (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.3
Global Rank:	G5T4T5
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	6

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Bear Lake (3411628), Forest Falls (3411618), Moonridge (3411627), Mount San Antonio (3411736), San Gorgonio Mtn. (3411617)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	67 %
Foot traffic/trampling	4	66%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	3	50%

Notes



Potentially threatened by foot traffic and recreational activities. See Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 20:3 (1884) for original description, and Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences IV 27(7):212-215 (1952) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2026. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 1 April 2026].