Lomatium dissectum
Fern leaved lomatium
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium dissectum (Fern leaved lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Key features: large size, finely dissected leaves, maroon flowers.
Fern leaved lomatium is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, and central Sierra Nevada Forest regions in deep mesic soils and wooded or brushy slopes at elevations of 150 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces maroon-red or occasionally yellow flowers in compound umbels with 10 to 30 spreading rays. Growing 3 to 14 decimeters tall with a stout taproot and a base covered in scarious sheaths, it develops erect stems with few cauline leaves. Its large, intricately dissected leaves are triangular-ovate, measuring 15 to 35 centimeters wide, with linear-oblong segments 2 to 8 millimeters long. The fruit is an oblong-ovate structure 12 to 16 millimeters long with thick wings and obscure oil tubes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species. Key features: large size, finely dissected leaves, maroon flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Deep mesic soils, wooded or brushy slopes
Elevation: 150-2000 m
California counties: Placer, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Tulare, Riverside, Modoc, Mariposa, Shasta, Mendocino, Humboldt, Nevada, Siskiyou, Trinity, Ventura, Colusa
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho
Bloom period
Lomatium dissectum blooms May-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 dissectum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium dissectum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium dissectum bloom?
Lomatium dissectum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lomatium dissectum grow?
Lomatium dissectum occurs in Placer, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Tulare, Riverside, Modoc and other counties, at elevations of 150-2000 m.
What plant family does Lomatium dissectum belong to?
Lomatium dissectum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium dissectum grow in?
Lomatium dissectum grows in Deep mesic soils, wooded or brushy slopes.
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.