Cymopterus aboriginum
Indian parsnip
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cymopterus aboriginum (Indian parsnip) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by small size and fruit wing characteristics.
Indian parsnip is a California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains and eastern desert mountains on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 1,500 to 2,850 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small clusters with linear bractlets. Growing with finely hairy, gray-green foliage without a distinct stem, it reaches heights of 1 to 3.5 centimeters. Its leaves have petioles 2 to 13 centimeters long, with blades 1 to 4.5 centimeters wide that are intricately divided into linear segments 2 to 8 millimeters long. The fruit is an oblong to ovate structure 6 to 11 millimeters long with nearly equal ribs and wings twice the width of its body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Distinguished by small size and fruit wing characteristics.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky mountain slopes
Elevation: 1500-2850 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Cymopterus aboriginum blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lomatium: Cymopterus is stemless and grows flat to ground; Lomatium has an upright stem.; vs Sanicula: Cymopterus has open umbrella clusters and blue-green leaves; Sanicula has dense ball-like heads and green leaves.; vs Vesper: Cymopterus is a low carrot family plant with umbrella clusters; Vesper is unrelated (evening primrose family).; vs Tauschia: Cymopterus is stemless spreading flat; Tauschia has an upright stem.; vs Angelica: Cymopterus is low and stemless; Angelica is tall and erect with a distinct main stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cymopterus aboriginum native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus aboriginum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus aboriginum bloom?
Cymopterus aboriginum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Cymopterus aboriginum grow?
Cymopterus aboriginum occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1500-2850 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus aboriginum belong to?
Cymopterus aboriginum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
What habitat does Cymopterus aboriginum grow in?
Cymopterus aboriginum grows in Rocky mountain slopes.
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.