Cymopterus deserticola
Desert cymopterus
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Cymopterus deserticola (Desert cymopterus) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by purple flowers and large leaf segments.
Desert cymopterus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in western Mojave Desert in sandy desert environments at elevations of 700 to 1,500 meters. Flowering in April, this plant produces purple flowers with distinctive ternate to 2-pinnately dissected leaves. Growing to approximately 15 centimeters tall with no visible stem, it has a compact, glabrous form. Its leaves feature a long petiole 4 to 10 centimeters long, with a blade 2 to 6.5 centimeters wide, divided into lanceolate segments 1 to 4 centimeters long with acuminate tips. The fruit is 5 to 7 millimeters long, with unequal ribs and marginal wings narrower than the fruit body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Distinguished by purple flowers and large leaf segments.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy desert
Elevation: 700-1500 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Cymopterus deserticola blooms Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 deserticola native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus deserticola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus deserticola bloom?
Cymopterus deserticola blooms Apr.
Where in California does Cymopterus deserticola grow?
Cymopterus deserticola occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, at elevations of 700-1500 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus deserticola belong to?
Cymopterus deserticola is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
Is Cymopterus deserticola rare or endangered?
Cymopterus deserticola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cymopterus gilmanii — Gilman's cymopterus
- Cymopterus globosus — Globose cymopterus
- Cymopterus multinervatus — Purple-nerve cymopterus
- Cymopterus panamintensis — Panamint cymopterus
- Cymopterus panamintensis var. acutifolius — Panamint indian parsnip
- Cymopterus panamintensis var. panamintensis — Panamint indian parsnip
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.