Lomatium rigidum
Stiff lomatium, Stiff Lomatium
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lomatium rigidum (Stiff lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by massive taproot, green herbage, and large pinnately lobed leaflets.
Stiff lomatium is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada near Big Pine and Bishop creeks in Inyo County, growing on rocky slopes and among sagebrush and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers in compound umbels with spreading rays. Growing 1.5 to 6 decimeters tall with a massive taproot and no visible stem, the plant has leaves clustered at its base. Its leaves are complex, with a ternate-pinnate or two-pinnate structure featuring leaflets 1 to 2 centimeters long, each sharply and pinnately lobed. The fruit is an oblong-ovate structure 6 to 12 millimeters long with narrow wings and three oil tubes per rib-interval.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by massive taproot, green herbage, and large pinnately lobed leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes near streams, among sagebrush, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-2200 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Lomatium rigidum blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 rigidum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium rigidum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium rigidum bloom?
Lomatium rigidum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lomatium rigidum grow?
Lomatium rigidum occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 1200-2200 m.
What plant family does Lomatium rigidum belong to?
Lomatium rigidum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium rigidum rare or endangered?
Lomatium rigidum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, 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.