Lomatium nevadense var. parishii
Parish's biscuitroot
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii (Parish's biscuitroot) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by white corolla and glabrous ovary/fruit.
Parish's biscuitroot is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains in sagebrush, desert scrub, and pine woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small white to pale yellow flowers in delicate umbels. Growing with slender stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it emerges from a deep taproot with a somewhat woody base. Its finely dissected leaves are intricately divided into multiple narrow, thread-like segments, creating a feathery, lace-like appearance. The fruit is smooth to slightly rough, characteristic of its delicate biscuitroot structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; distinguished by white corolla and glabrous ovary/fruit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush, desert scrub, pine woodland
Elevation: 1000-3000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Fresno, Lassen, Modoc, Mariposa, Madera, Trinity, Butte, San Diego, Sierra, Tuolumne, Alpine, Ventura
Outside California: to Nevada, New Mexico, Sonora
Bloom period
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii blooms Apr-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 nevadense var. parishii native to California?
Yes. Lomatium nevadense var. parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium nevadense var. parishii bloom?
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lomatium nevadense var. parishii grow?
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Fresno, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 1000-3000 m.
What plant family does Lomatium nevadense var. parishii belong to?
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium nevadense var. parishii grow in?
Lomatium nevadense var. parishii grows in Sagebrush, desert scrub, pine 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.