Lomatium parryi
Parry's lomatium
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium parryi (Parry's lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by glaucous herbage, swollen peduncles, and conspicuous calyx.
Parry's lomatium is a California native perennial found in the desert mountains in rocky slopes, generally in pinyon woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in delicate umbel clusters with 8 to 15 rays. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with a robust taproot and glaucous appearance, it emerges from a fibrous base with minimal visible stem. Its finely divided leaves feature narrow, sharp-pointed linear leaflets, with petioles 6 to 10.5 centimeters long and blade segments 2 to 3 times pinnately arranged. The fruit is an oblong to diamond-shaped structure 9 to 15 millimeters long with wings wider than its body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by glaucous herbage, swollen peduncles, and conspicuous calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, generally in pinyon woodland
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Lomatium parryi blooms May-Jun.
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 parryi native to California?
Yes. Lomatium parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium parryi bloom?
Lomatium parryi blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Lomatium parryi grow?
Lomatium parryi occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Lomatium parryi belong to?
Lomatium parryi is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium parryi grow in?
Lomatium parryi grows in Rocky slopes, generally in pinyon 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.