Cymopterus ripleyi
Ripley's cymopterus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Cymopterus ripleyi (Ripley's cymopterus) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by distinctive ternate round leaves with wedge-shaped deeply lobed leaflets.
Ripley's cymopterus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada east side, and northern Desert Mountains in sandy soil at elevations of 1,000 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces purple to white flowers in delicate umbrella-like clusters. Growing with low, compact stems 10 to 15 centimeters tall and entirely glabrous, it forms a distinctive ground-hugging plant. Its leaves feature complex ternate blades about 2 to 5 centimeters wide, with wedge-shaped leaflets deeply divided into three-lobed sections that are further subdivided. The fruit is 6 to 7 millimeters long, wedge-shaped with unequal ribs and marginal wings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by distinctive ternate round leaves with wedge-shaped deeply lobed leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soil
Elevation: 1000-1600 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Cymopterus ripleyi blooms Apr-Jun.
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 ripleyi native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus ripleyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus ripleyi bloom?
Cymopterus ripleyi blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Cymopterus ripleyi grow?
Cymopterus ripleyi occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 1000-1600 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus ripleyi belong to?
Cymopterus ripleyi is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
Is Cymopterus ripleyi rare or endangered?
Cymopterus ripleyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.