Lomatium fusiformis
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium fusiformis is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Key features: carrot-like tuber, bladeless basal leaves, white flowers.
Lomatium fusiformis is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern high Sierra Nevada, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in gravelly areas and alpine meadows near melting snow at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small spreading clusters. Growing with a low, compact form 5 to 15 centimeters tall and featuring a distinctive carrot-like underground tuber, it develops minimal stems or sometimes no stems at all. Its intricate leaves are finely divided into multiple narrow linear segments, with the lowest leaves forming a scarious oblong sheath. The small fruits are ovate, with distinctive corky-winged margins that distinguish this delicate alpine parsley.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species. Key features: carrot-like tuber, bladeless basal leaves, white flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly flats, flower near melting snow
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
Outside California: to central Oregon
Bloom period
Lomatium fusiformis 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 fusiformis native to California?
Yes. Lomatium fusiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium fusiformis bloom?
Lomatium fusiformis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Lomatium fusiformis belong to?
Lomatium fusiformis is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium fusiformis grow in?
Lomatium fusiformis grows in Gravelly flats, flower near melting snow.
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.