Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum
Large fruited lewis' lomatium
Photo: parent species Lomatium triternatum · (c) Kieran Hanrahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum (Large fruited lewis' lomatium) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by var. triternatum by densely puberulent ovary.
Large fruited lewis' lomatium is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and Great Basin in sagebrush-juniper and pine woodland habitats at elevations of 200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in delicate umbels characteristic of the Lomatium genus. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, branching structure emerging from a deep taproot. Its finely divided leaves are ternately compound, with each leaflet deeply dissected into narrow, thread-like segments. The fruit is notably large, reflecting its varietal name, with densely puberulent ovaries that help distinguish this variety.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; distinguished from var. triternatum by densely puberulent ovary
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush-juniper, pine woodland, open slopes, meadows
Elevation: 200-1500 m
California counties: Mendocino, Siskiyou, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Trinity, Del Norte, Lake, Humboldt
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum blooms Apr-Jul.
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 triternatum var. macrocarpum native to California?
Yes. Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum bloom?
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum grow?
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum occurs in Mendocino, Siskiyou, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Trinity, Del Norte, Lake and other counties, at elevations of 200-1500 m.
What plant family does Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum belong to?
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lomatium.
What habitat does Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum grow in?
Lomatium triternatum var. macrocarpum grows in Sagebrush-juniper, pine woodland, open slopes, meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lomatium triternatum var. triternatum — Lewis' lomatium
- Lomatium utriculatum — Bladder parsnip
- Lomatium vaginatum — Broadsheath desertparsley
- Lomatium austiniae — Plummer's lomatium
- Lomatium bicolor var. leptocarpum — Slender fruited lomatium
- Lomatium californicum — California lomatium
- Oenanthe sarmentosa — Pacific oenanthe
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.