Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii
Macdougal's lomatium, Macdougal's Lomatium
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii (Macdougal's lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Key features: variable segment shape, glabrous petals.
Macdougal's lomatium is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada/Mojave Plateau, Mojave Plateau, and desert mountains including Cottonwood Mountains in sagebrush scrub and pine woodland at elevations of 1,390 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with subtle purple tones in delicate umbel clusters. Growing with slender stems 7 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, low-growing form characteristic of desert parsleys. Its finely divided leaves feature narrow segments ranging from 1 to 6 millimeters long, with segments shaped from linear to delicate obovate forms. The plant's inflorescences emerge on long peduncles 10 to 40 centimeters tall, with 2 to 17 slender rays adding to its distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species. Key features: variable segment shape, glabrous petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, pine woodland
Elevation: 1390-1800 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Kern, Plumas, Inyo, Santa Barbara
Outside California: eastern Oregon, to Utah, Montana, Arizona
Bloom period
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii native to California?
Yes. Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii bloom?
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii grow?
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii occurs in Lassen, Modoc, Kern, Plumas, Inyo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 1390-1800 m.
What plant family does Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii belong to?
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii rare or endangered?
Lomatium foeniculaceum subsp. macdougalii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.