Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus
Rock cymopterus
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus (Rock cymopterus) is a native California perennial in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by leaf proportions and gray-green color.
Rock cymopterus is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains on rocky alpine slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white or pale flowers in distinctive umbel clusters. Growing with short stems and gray-green herbage, it forms a compact alpine plant with delicate, finely divided leaves. Its leaf blades are distinctively longer than wide, with slender, somewhat sparse segments that contribute to its airy, intricate appearance. The plant's low-growing, adapted form allows it to thrive in the harsh, exposed conditions of high-elevation rocky mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species. Distinguished by leaf proportions and gray-green color.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky alpine slopes
Elevation: 1800-3400 m
California counties: Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Alpine
Outside California: to Utah
Bloom period
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus blooms May-Jun.
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 var. petraeus native to California?
Yes. Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus bloom?
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus grow?
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus occurs in Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Alpine, at elevations of 1800-3400 m.
What plant family does Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus belong to?
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus is in the Apiaceae family, genus Cymopterus.
What habitat does Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus grow in?
Cymopterus terebinthinus var. petraeus grows in Rocky alpine slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cymopterus aboriginum — Indian parsnip
- Cymopterus cinerarius — Gray springparsley
- Cymopterus deserticola — Desert cymopterus
- Cymopterus gilmanii — Gilman's cymopterus
- Cymopterus globosus — Globose cymopterus
- Cymopterus multinervatus — Purple-nerve cymopterus
- Daucus carota — Carrot
- Daucus pusillus — American wild carrot
- Daucus sp.
- Eryngium alismifolium — Alisma-leaved button-celery
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.