Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum
Alkali desertparsley
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum (Alkali desertparsley) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by geographic separation and fruit wing morphology distinguish varieties.
Alkali desertparsley is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California Republic Forests, and Sacramento Valley in vernal pools and open grasslands at elevations of 60 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate white to cream-colored flowers in umbels with distinctive lanceolate to oblanceolate bractlets. Growing with slender stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops a taproot characteristic of desert parsleys. Its finely divided leaves are deeply dissected with thread-like segments, creating a delicate, lacy appearance typical of the Lomatium genus. The fruit develops thick, narrow wings, a distinctive feature of this variety of desertparsley.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; geographic separation and fruit wing morphology distinguish varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, open grassland
Elevation: 60-500 m
Bloom period
Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Tauschia: Lomatium fruits have prominent marginal wings; Tauschia fruits lack wings or have only slight ribs.; vs Sanicula: Lomatium has typical umbrella-shaped flower clusters; Sanicula has dense ball-like flower heads with hooked bristles.; vs Cymopterus: Lomatium grows upright with a stem; Cymopterus is stemless and grows flat to the ground.; vs Conium: Lomatium grows in dry natural habitats; Conium has purple-spotted stems and grows in moist disturbed areas.; vs Daucus: Lomatium fruits are flat with thin wings; Daucus fruits are cylindrical with spiny bristles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum bloom?
Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum belong to?
Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum grow in?
Lomatium caruifolium var. denticulatum grows in Vernal pools, open grassland.
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.