Cymopterus multinervatus
Purple-nerve cymopterus, Purple-Nerve Cymopterus
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Cymopterus multinervatus (Purple-nerve cymopterus) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by distinctive bracts and very wide fruits.
Purple-nerve cymopterus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert on sandy and rocky slopes at elevations of 630 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces purple flowers with delicate, many-veined bracts forming a shallow green or purple sheath. Growing low to the ground with plants 4 to 20 centimeters tall and often with short underground stems, it has a distinctive glaucous and fleshy leaf structure. Its leaves are intricately dissected, with oblong-ovate blades 1 to 8.5 centimeters long, divided into fine, nearly indistinct segments 0.5 to 6 millimeters long. The fruit is an oblong-ovate structure 8 to 17 millimeters wide, with prominent wings two to three times the width of its central body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Distinguished by distinctive bracts and very wide fruits.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy and rocky slopes
Elevation: 630-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: to Utah, New Mexico
Bloom period
Cymopterus multinervatus blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 multinervatus native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus multinervatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus multinervatus bloom?
Cymopterus multinervatus blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Cymopterus multinervatus grow?
Cymopterus multinervatus occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 630-1800 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus multinervatus belong to?
Cymopterus multinervatus is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
Is Cymopterus multinervatus rare or endangered?
Cymopterus multinervatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cymopterus panamintensis — Panamint cymopterus
- Cymopterus panamintensis var. acutifolius — Panamint indian parsnip
- Cymopterus panamintensis var. panamintensis — Panamint indian parsnip
- Cymopterus purpurascens — Purple cymopterus
- Cymopterus ripleyi — Ripley's cymopterus
- Cymopterus ripleyi var. saniculoides — sanicle cymopterus
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.