Lomatium shevockii
Owens peak lomatium, Owens Peak Lomatium
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lomatium shevockii (Owens peak lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by very small size, purple corolla, and simple pinnate leaves.
Owens peak lomatium is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Kern County on rocky slopes, talus, conifer forest, and pine/oak woodland at elevations of 2,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces purple flowers in delicate umbels with 5 to 9 spreading rays. Growing 4 to 12 centimeters tall with an elongated taproot and no visible stem, it appears low and compact on rocky terrain. Its single leaf is finely divided with 3 to 5 ovate leaflets that are pinnately sharp-lobed, creating an intricate, lacy appearance. The fruit is 8 to 10 millimeters long, widely elliptical, with narrow wings and distinctive oil tubes along its ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by very small size, purple corolla, and simple pinnate leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, talus, conifer forest, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 2200-2500 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Lomatium shevockii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 shevockii native to California?
Yes. Lomatium shevockii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium shevockii bloom?
Lomatium shevockii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lomatium shevockii grow?
Lomatium shevockii occurs in Kern, at elevations of 2200-2500 m.
What plant family does Lomatium shevockii belong to?
Lomatium shevockii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium shevockii rare or endangered?
Lomatium shevockii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.