Lomatium californicum

Lomatium californicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Lomatium
Species: L. californicum
Binomial name
Lomatium californicum
(Nutt.) Mathias & Constance

Lomatium californicum is a species of plant related to the carrot and the parsnip which is known by the common names California rock parsnip, celery weed, and California lomatium. [1]

This plant is native to California and Oregon. [2] It is found on mountains and hills, at elevations of 150–1,800 metres (490–5,910 ft). [3]

Description

Lomatium californicum grows to 3–12 decimetres (0.98–3.94 ft). It has coarsely toothed to lobed blue-green leaves. They resemble those of common celery in both appearance and taste.

The yellow flowers are in broad umbels of 1.5–3 decimetres (5.9–11.8 in) in diameter. [3]

Uses

It is a traditional Native American food source and medicinal plant, with various parts of the plant used, including by the Kawaiisu, Yuki, and Yurok peoples. [4] The Yuki chewed it while hunting to prevent deer from detecting human scents.[4]

References

  1. ↑ ITIS Standard Report Page: Lomatium californicum
  2. ↑ USDA: Lomatium californicum
  3. 1 2 Jepson: Lomatium californicum
  4. 1 2 University of Michigan at Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany of Lomatium californicum
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