Description

The carrot family, Apiaceae, is represented by about 200 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) in California. A typical representative of the family is a summer deciduous perennial with compound leaves growing from a deep taproot. The flowers are generally a white or yellow umbel or compound umbel. This is certainly true of the biscuitroots of the genus Lomatium. These are called biscuitroots because of the often edible root. Most grow in mountain settings in the northern half of the state. Barestem lomatium grows in the interior mountains of the SF Bay Area, then more widely from Nevada County north into Oregon and beyond. Pointed oval leaflets form the compound leaves, which become more numerous as the tap root grows. The leaflets are somewhat blue-green in color. The compound umbel flower is yellow. The lomatium flower attracts many pollinators. In the garden, plant lomatium in a group among other plants where their flower might be appreciated and their dormancy will not detract from the garden. Lomatium seems to tolerate some summer water, though this will not prevent dormancy.