Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum
Butte desertparsley
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum (Butte desertparsley) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by red-purple corolla and longer pedicels.
Butte desertparsley is a California native perennial found in northern California Coast Ranges in serpentine slopes, chaparral, and woodland at elevations of 300 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces red-purple flowers in compound umbels with rays 2 to 15 centimeters long. Growing with slender stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, finely divided foliage characteristic of the Lomatium genus. Its leaves are finely dissected with narrow, thread-like segments, giving the plant a lacy, intricate appearance. The small flowers are arranged in umbrella-like clusters, typical of plants in the parsley family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinguished by red-purple corolla and longer pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine slopes, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 300-800 m
California counties: Napa, Lake, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa, Butte, Sonoma
Bloom period
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum blooms Mar-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 marginatum var. purpureum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum bloom?
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum grow?
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum occurs in Napa, Lake, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa, Butte, Sonoma, at elevations of 300-800 m.
What plant family does Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum belong to?
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum grow in?
Lomatium marginatum var. purpureum grows in Serpentine slopes, chaparral, woodland.
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.