Lomatium mohavense – “Desert Parsley”

Also Known As: Parish’s Biscuitroot
Family: Carrot (Apiaceae, aka. Umbelliferae)
Bloom time: Apr-May
Form: Perennial herb
Habitat: Gravelly soils and rocky slopes, and the “Pebble Plains”
Leaves: Pinnately-compound; basal
Translation: “Lomatium” is Greek for “bordered” and refers to the wings on the edges of the seeds; “nevadense” means “of Nevada”; “parishii” is named after W. F. and S. B. Parish, who were “the pioneer botanical collectors of southern California” from the late 1800’s to the 1920’s.
Native American Uses: The Lomatium genus included important food plants for Native Americans all across western North America, as is reflected in the common name, “Biscuitroot.” The Paiute ate the peeled roots fresh like radishes or cooked them.
Animal Associations: Host for Anise Swallowtail butterfly, Indra Swallowtail butterfly, Black Swallowtail butterfly, White-lined Sphinx moth, Agonopterix oregonensis moth.