Cymopterus terebinthinus
Turpentine cymopterus
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Cymopterus terebinthinus (Turpentine cymopterus) is a native California perennial in the Apiaceae family, recognized by Glabrous, +- stemless; peduncles SHORTER than leaves; rigid linear leaf segments; western montane (Klamath--Cascade--Sierra).
Turpentine cymopterus is a California native perennial found in desert and montane regions at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers in delicate umbels with rays 3 to 24 centimeters long. Growing with a woody base and reaching 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it develops finely dissected leaves with narrow, rigid segments less than 4 millimeters long. Its leaves are pinnately or ternately divided, with intricate blade structures spanning 1.5 to 18 centimeters long. The fruit features distinctive wings that are often wider than the body and irregularly curled, creating an intricate architectural profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Glabrous, +- stemless; peduncles SHORTER than leaves; rigid linear leaf segments; western montane (Klamath--Cascade--Sierra)
Habitat and range
California counties: Siskiyou, Tuolumne, Fresno, Placer, Kings, Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Plumas, Alpine
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 terebinthinus native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus terebinthinus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Cymopterus terebinthinus grow?
Cymopterus terebinthinus occurs in Siskiyou, Tuolumne, Fresno, Placer, Kings, Inyo, Mono, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Cymopterus terebinthinus belong to?
Cymopterus terebinthinus is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cymopterus terebinthinus var. californicus — Pteryxia
- Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus — Rock cymopterus
- Cymopterus aboriginum — Indian parsnip
- Cymopterus cinerarius — Gray springparsley
- Cymopterus deserticola — Desert cymopterus
- Cymopterus gilmanii — Gilman's cymopterus
- Daucus carota — Carrot
- Daucus pusillus — American wild carrot
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.