Lomatium ciliolatum
Yolla bolly biscuitroot
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium ciliolatum (Yolla bolly biscuitroot) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Key features: dense pubescence, ciliate margins, serpentine habitat.
Yolla bolly biscuitroot is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges in serpentine ridges at elevations of 1,200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact umbels with 3 to 5 unequal rays. Growing low and stout, with a dense puberulent covering, the plant reaches 9 to 15 centimeters tall and develops a slender taproot. Its leaves are intricately dissected, with ternate-pinnate blades 3 to 13 centimeters long, featuring lanceolate to ovate segments 1 to 2 centimeters long with ciliate margins. The fruit is approximately 7 to 8 millimeters long, elliptical, with narrow wings less than 0.5 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species. Key features: dense pubescence, ciliate margins, serpentine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine ridges
Elevation: 1200-2100 m
California counties: Alameda, Glenn, Lake, Colusa, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt
Bloom period
Lomatium ciliolatum blooms Jun-Jul.
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 ciliolatum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium ciliolatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium ciliolatum bloom?
Lomatium ciliolatum blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Lomatium ciliolatum grow?
Lomatium ciliolatum occurs in Alameda, Glenn, Lake, Colusa, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2100 m.
What plant family does Lomatium ciliolatum belong to?
Lomatium ciliolatum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium ciliolatum grow in?
Lomatium ciliolatum grows in Serpentine ridges.
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.