Cymopterus purpurascens
Purple cymopterus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cymopterus purpurascens (Purple cymopterus) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by basal fibers, bract characteristics, and wide fruits.
Purple cymopterus is a California native perennial found in western Inyo and eastern Mojave Desert Mountains on shrubby slopes at elevations of 1,300 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces purple flowers in delicate umbel clusters with white bracts featuring green or white veins. Growing with compact stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall and adorned with persistent fibers, it forms a low, dense cluster. Its leaves are distinctive, with fleshy, glaucous blades 1.2 to 5 centimeters long that are intricately dissected into 1 to 8 millimeter segments. The fruit develops as a widely ovate structure with prominent wings two to three times the width of its central body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Distinguished by basal fibers, bract characteristics, and wide fruits.
Habitat and range
Habitat: shrubby slopes
Elevation: 1300-2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: to Idaho, Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Cymopterus purpurascens blooms Mar-May.
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 purpurascens native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus purpurascens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus purpurascens bloom?
Cymopterus purpurascens blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Cymopterus purpurascens grow?
Cymopterus purpurascens occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 1300-2200 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus purpurascens belong to?
Cymopterus purpurascens is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
What habitat does Cymopterus purpurascens grow in?
Cymopterus purpurascens grows in shrubby 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.