Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii
Raven's lomatium
(c) Curtis Drake, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Curtis Drake · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii (Raven's lomatium) is a native California perennial in the Apiaceae family, recognized by larger size, less hairy leaves, and persistent leaf bases.
Raven's lomatium is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.3 by CNPS, found in the eastern Modoc Plateau in the vicinity of Ravendale and Painters Flat in eastern Lassen County, growing on flats with alkaline soils in sagebrush habitat at elevations of 1,600 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white to yellow flowers in delicate umbels. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with slender, moderately fine-hairy stems, it forms a low-spreading habit characteristic of desert parsleys. Its finely divided leaves have narrow ultimate segments 1 to 4 millimeters long, with linear to linear-oblong shapes that help the plant blend into its sagebrush surroundings. The plant's persistent leaf bases and glabrous bractlets contribute to its distinctive adaptation to harsh alkaline landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinguished by larger size, less hairy leaves, and persistent leaf bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Flats, generally +- alkaline soils, sagebrush
Elevation: 1600-1750 m
Bloom period
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 ravenii var. ravenii native to California?
Yes. Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii bloom?
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii belong to?
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii rare or endangered?
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii grow in?
Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii grows in Flats, generally +- alkaline soils, sagebrush.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.