Description

California’s many lomatium species grow in many plant communities around the state, generally in sunny spots with well-draining soil. Hog fennel is one of the most widely distributed, excluded only from the deserts of the southeastern counties. Like all lomatiums, hog fennel begins its lifecycle by emerging from summer dormancy in later winter from a deep, narrow taproot. This edible taproot (the lomatium are also called biscuit root) reminds of its place in the carrot family, Apiaceae. Hog fennel sends up numerous deeply dissected compound leaves. The leaves form an open, fountain structure. Once the tap root is of adequate size, one to several flower stalks appear, topped with an umbel of bright yellow flower clusters. The flowers are attractive to swallowtails and other pollinators. As the seeds mature, hog fennel begins to go dormant - with or without water - and will disappear above ground for the summer and fall. As with nearly all California geophytes, it is best to respect dormancy by withholding water in the dry season.