Conioselinum pacificum
Hemlock parsley
(c) Noah How, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conioselinum pacificum (Hemlock parsley) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by Only Conioselinum in California, representing a circumpolar genus at its southern Pacific coast limit.
Hemlock parsley is a California native perennial found in northern and central coastal regions in ocean bluffs and coastal scrub at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in umbrella-like clusters with 15 to 30 delicate rays spreading upward. Growing 30 to 150 centimeters tall with erect, slender stems, it develops a triangular-ovate leaf structure with complex, finely divided foliage. Its leaves are intricately arranged with 2 to 3 levels of pinnate divisions, featuring leaflets 1 to 5 centimeters long that are oblong to ovate with coarse serrated edges. The fruit is 5 to 8 millimeters long with distinctive winged ribs, with marginal wings being the widest.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Conioselinum in California, representing a circumpolar genus at its southern Pacific coast limit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ocean bluffs, generally in coastal scrub
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, San Mateo, San Francisco, Ventura
Outside California: to Alaska, northern Japan
Bloom period
Conioselinum pacificum blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Conium: Conioselinum grows on coastal bluffs; Conium has purple-spotted stems and grows inland in disturbed areas.; vs Pastinaca: Conioselinum has white flowers and lacy multi-divided leaves; Pastinaca has yellow flowers and simple once-divided leaves.; vs Lomatium: Check developing fruits—Conioselinum has a small pointed tip; Lomatium fruits lack this projection.; vs Orogenia: Conioselinum is coastal below 400 feet; Orogenia is a small mountain plant above treeline.; vs Heracleum: Conioselinum is modest under 3 feet with uniform petals; Heracleum is giant (3-10 feet) with enlarged outer petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Conioselinum pacificum native to California?
Yes. Conioselinum pacificum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Conioselinum pacificum bloom?
Conioselinum pacificum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Conioselinum pacificum grow?
Conioselinum pacificum occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, San Mateo, San Francisco, Ventura, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Conioselinum pacificum belong to?
Conioselinum pacificum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Conioselinum.
What habitat does Conioselinum pacificum grow in?
Conioselinum pacificum grows in Ocean bluffs, generally in coastal scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.