Tauschia parishii
Parish's tauschia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Tauschia parishii (Parish's tauschia) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by fruit shape and size, plus leaf division pattern.
Parish's tauschia is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, Transverse, San Jacinto, and southeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky or sandy pine woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in compound umbels with 12 to 18 spreading rays. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with a glaucous, glabrous appearance, it forms delicate clusters with no distinct stem. Its leaves are complex, featuring a 2-pinnate blade 8 to 15 centimeters long with 15 to 40 millimeter leaflets that are oblong to ovate and sharply serrate. The fruit is 5 to 8 millimeters long with narrow, prominent ribs and 4 to 5 oil tubes between each rib interval.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; fruit shape and size, plus leaf division pattern are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soil, pine woodland
Elevation: 1200-2600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Mono, Del Norte, Fresno
Bloom period
Tauschia parishii blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Lomatium: Tauschia has leaf-like bracts longer than flower stalks; Lomatium bracts are shorter or absent.; vs Sanicula: Tauschia flowers are yellow in open umbels; Sanicula flowers are tiny greenish in tight heads.; vs Sambucus: Tauschia has divided carrot-family leaves; Sambucus has pinnate leaves and is a shrub.; vs Angelica: Tauschia flowers are yellow; Angelica flowers are white or greenish.; vs Foeniculum: Tauschia has broader leaflets; Foeniculum has hair-fine, fragrant, feathery foliage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tauschia parishii native to California?
Yes. Tauschia parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tauschia parishii bloom?
Tauschia parishii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Tauschia parishii grow?
Tauschia parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2600 m.
What plant family does Tauschia parishii belong to?
Tauschia parishii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Tauschia.
What habitat does Tauschia parishii grow in?
Tauschia parishii grows in Rocky or sandy soil, pine woodland.
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.