Locoweed and Dead Steer
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A Locoweed And A Dead Steer

Astragalus pomonensis, a common locoweed with large, inflated seed pods native to coastal and interior valleys of southern California. When dry, the seeds rattle inside the papery pods; hence, the common name of rattleweed.

Dead steer in a pasture with several individuals of the toxic locoweed Astragalus oxyphysus in the foreground. This notoriously poisonous locoweed covered many acres of nearby land (on the other side of the hill) where this unfortunate steer had been grazing. Contrary to the observations by several students, the steer in photo was NOT sleeping.

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