Lomatium stebbinsii
Stebbins' lomatium, Stebbins' Lomatium
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lomatium stebbinsii (Stebbins' lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Stebbins' lomatium is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, inhabiting yellow-pine forest on gravelly volcanic soil at elevations of 1,250 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in delicate umbels with spreading rays. Growing low to the ground with a compact form, it reaches only 5 to 15 centimeters tall and features a small ovoid tuber beneath the surface. Its distinctive leaves are triangular-ovate, ternately divided into 2 to 12 millimeter linear leaflets with an acute tip, creating a fine, lacy green appearance. The small fruits are narrowly elliptic, measuring 6 to 9 millimeters long with minimal wing development.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Yellow-pine forest on gravelly volcanic soil
Elevation: 1250-1700 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Calaveras
Bloom period
Lomatium stebbinsii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 stebbinsii native to California?
Yes. Lomatium stebbinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium stebbinsii bloom?
Lomatium stebbinsii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Lomatium stebbinsii grow?
Lomatium stebbinsii occurs in Tuolumne, Calaveras, at elevations of 1250-1700 m.
What plant family does Lomatium stebbinsii belong to?
Lomatium stebbinsii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
Is Lomatium stebbinsii rare or endangered?
Lomatium stebbinsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.