Lomatium parvifolium
Small-leaved lomatium, Small-Leaved Lomatium
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Lomatium parvifolium (Small-leaved lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by low elevation, glaucous fleshy herbage, and large leaflets.
Small-leaved lomatium is a native perennial found in the central coast and south coastal ranges of California on serpentine outcrops and pine woodlands at elevations of 70 to 150 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in delicate umbel clusters with 8 to 15 spreading rays. Growing 15 to 40 centimeters tall with a slender taproot and short stems, it develops a glaucous, somewhat fleshy appearance. Its ternate-pinnate leaves are 3 to 15 centimeters wide, featuring leaflets 1 to 4 centimeters wide that are ovate to obovate with weakly spine-toothed edges. The fruit is elliptic to round, with wings wider than the body and distinctive oil tubes along each rib-interval.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; distinguished by low elevation, glaucous fleshy herbage, and large leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine woodland, serpentine outcrops
Elevation: 70-150 m
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, Ventura
Bloom period
Lomatium parvifolium blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 parvifolium native to California?
Yes. Lomatium parvifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium parvifolium bloom?
Lomatium parvifolium blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Lomatium parvifolium grow?
Lomatium parvifolium occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, Ventura, at elevations of 70-150 m.
What plant family does Lomatium parvifolium belong to?
Lomatium parvifolium is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium parvifolium rare or endangered?
Lomatium parvifolium carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.