Lomatium torreyi
Sierra biscuitroot
Dean Wm. Taylor (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium torreyi (Sierra biscuitroot) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by absence of bractlets, long narrow fruits, and granite habitat.
Sierra biscuitroot is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in granite crevices within pine forests at elevations of 1,100 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces vibrant yellow flowers in delicate umbrella-like clusters. Growing to 10 to 30 centimeters tall with a fibrous base and long taproot, it emerges with minimal visible stem. Its distinctive leaves are finely dissected into thread-like segments, each 3 to 10 millimeters long, forming intricate lacy patterns across clustered foliage. The fruit develops as a narrow oblong structure approximately 10 to 16 millimeters long with thin wings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by absence of bractlets, long narrow fruits, and granite habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite crevices in pine forests
Elevation: 1100-3300 m
California counties: Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tulare, Madera, Mariposa, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Placer, Kern
Bloom period
Lomatium torreyi blooms May-Aug.
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 torreyi native to California?
Yes. Lomatium torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium torreyi bloom?
Lomatium torreyi blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Lomatium torreyi grow?
Lomatium torreyi occurs in Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tulare, Madera, Mariposa, El Dorado, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 1100-3300 m.
What plant family does Lomatium torreyi belong to?
Lomatium torreyi is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium torreyi grow in?
Lomatium torreyi grows in Granite crevices in pine forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.