Lomatium mohavense
Mohave wild parsely
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium mohavense (Mohave wild parsely) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by gray tomentose herbage and long petioles.
Mohave wild parsely is a California native perennial found in southern Coastal Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, and Desert regions in desert flats, slopes, scrub, and woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow or purple flowers in delicate umbels with spreading rays. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with a grayish, densely short-hairy appearance and a long, thickened taproot, it forms a compact and intricate herb. Its complex leaves are 2 to 10 centimeters long, 3 to 4 times pinnately dissected with tightly packed linear to obovate segments 2 to 5 millimeters long. The fruit is 4.5 to 11 millimeters long with wings wider than the body and distinctive oil tubes along its ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by gray tomentose herbage and long petioles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert flats, slopes, scrub, or woodland
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Lomatium mohavense blooms Apr-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 mohavense native to California?
Yes. Lomatium mohavense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium mohavense bloom?
Lomatium mohavense blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lomatium mohavense grow?
Lomatium mohavense occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of 1000-2000 m.
What plant family does Lomatium mohavense belong to?
Lomatium mohavense is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium mohavense grow in?
Lomatium mohavense grows in Desert flats, slopes, scrub, or 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.