100 Species of Genus Lomatium

Lomatium: A Love Affair with the Biscuitroots

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m a bit obsessed with plants. Not just any plants, mind you. I’m drawn to the subtle beauty and quiet resilience of those that thrive in harsh environments, the ones that often get overlooked. That’s why I find myself captivated by the genus Lomatium, a group of plants commonly known as biscuitroots, Indian parsley, or desert parsley.

These unassuming members of the Apiaceae family, the same family as carrots and celery, are masters of survival in the arid landscapes of western North America. They’ve carved out a niche for themselves in the dry, rocky soils of mountains and deserts, their deep taproots anchoring them against the elements and providing access to precious moisture.

What truly fascinates me about Lomatium is the sheer diversity within the genus. With over 100 recognized species, each with its own unique characteristics, there’s always something new to discover. Some species, like Lomatium dissectum, boast large, fern-like leaves and towering flower stalks, while others, like Lomatium nudicaule, hug the ground with their basal leaves and delicate yellow umbels.

A Closer Look at the Species

The diversity within Lomatium is truly remarkable. Here are:

  1. Lomatium ambiguum (Nutt.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  2. Lomatium andrusianum M.Stevens & Mansfield
  3. Lomatium anomalum M.E.Jones ex J.M.Coult. & Rose
  4. Lomatium attenuatum Evert
  5. Lomatium austiniae (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  6. Lomatium bentonitum K.M.Carlson & Mansfield
  7. Lomatium bicolor (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  8. Lomatium bradshawii (Rose) Mathias & Constance
  9. Lomatium brandegeei (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.F.Macbr.
  10. Lomatium brunsfeldianum Kemper & R.P.McNeill
  11. Lomatium californicum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance
  12. Lomatium canbyi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  13. Lomatium caruifolium (Hook. & Arn.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  14. Lomatium ciliolatum Jeps.
  15. Lomatium columbianum Mathias & Constance
  16. Lomatium congdonii J.M.Coult. & Rose
  17. Lomatium cookii Kagan
  18. Lomatium cous (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  19. Lomatium cusickii (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  20. Lomatium cuspidatum Mathias & Constance
  21. Lomatium dasycarpum (Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  22. Lomatium depauperatum (M.E.Jones) J.A.Alexander & Whaley
  23. Lomatium dissectum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance
  24. Lomatium donnellii (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  25. Lomatium eastwoodiae (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.F.Macbr.
  26. Lomatium engelmannii Mathias
  27. Lomatium erythrocarpum Meinke & Constance
  28. Lomatium farinosum (Geyer) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  29. Lomatium filicinum (M.E.Jones) Mansfield & M.Stevens
  30. Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  31. Lomatium fusiformis (S.Watson) J.F.Sm. & Mansfield
  32. Lomatium geyeri (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  33. Lomatium gormanii (Howell) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  34. Lomatium graveolens (S.Watson) Dorn & R.L.Hartm.
  35. Lomatium grayi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  36. Lomatium greenmanii Mathias
  37. Lomatium hallii (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  38. Lomatium hendersonii (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  39. Lomatium hooveri (Mathias & Constance) Constance & B.Ertter
  40. Lomatium howellii (S.Watson) Jeps.
  41. Lomatium idahoense Mathias & Constance
  42. Lomatium insulare (Eastw.) Munz
  43. Lomatium junceum Barneby & N.H.Holmgren
  44. Lomatium juniperinum (M.E.Jones) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  45. Lomatium klickitatense J.A.Alexander & Whaley
  46. Lomatium knokei Darrach
  47. Lomatium kogholiini K.M.Mason & Willie
  48. Lomatium laevigatum J.M.Coult. & Rose
  49. Lomatium latilobum (Rydb.) Mathias
  50. Lomatium linearifolium (S.Watson) J.F.Sm. & Mansfield
  51. Lomatium lithosolamans J.F.Sm. & M.A.Feist
  52. Lomatium lucidum (Nutt.) Jeps.
  53. Lomatium macrocarpum (Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  54. Lomatium marginatum (Benth.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  55. Lomatium martindalei (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  56. Lomatium minimum (Mathias) Mathias
  57. Lomatium minus (Rose ex Howell) Mathias & Constance
  58. Lomatium mohavense (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  59. Lomatium multifidum (Nutt.) R.P.McNeill & Darrach
  60. Lomatium nevadense (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  61. Lomatium nudicaule (Nutt.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  62. Lomatium nuttallii (A.Gray) J.F.Macbr.
  63. Lomatium observatorium Constance & B.Ertter
  64. Lomatium ochocense Helliwell & Constance
  65. Lomatium oreganum (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  66. Lomatium orientale J.M.Coult. & Rose
  67. Lomatium papilioniferum J.A.Alexander & Whaley
  68. Lomatium parryi (S.Watson) J.F.Macbr.
  69. Lomatium parvifolium (Hook. & Arn.) Jeps.
  70. Lomatium pastorale Darrach & D.H.Wagner
  71. Lomatium peckianum Mathias & Constance
  72. Lomatium piperi J.M.Coult. & Rose
  73. Lomatium planosum (Osterh.) Mansfield & S.R.Downie
  74. Lomatium quintuplex Schlessman & Constance
  75. Lomatium ravenii Mathias & Constance
  76. Lomatium repostum (Jeps.) Mathias
  77. Lomatium rigidum (M.E.Jones) Jeps.
  78. Lomatium rollinsii Mathias & Constance
  79. Lomatium roneorum Darrach
  80. Lomatium roseanum Cronquist
  81. Lomatium salmoniflorum (J.M.Coult. & Rose) Mathias & Constance
  82. Lomatium sandbergii (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  83. Lomatium scabrum (J.M.Coult. & Rose) Mathias
  84. Lomatium serpentinum (M.E.Jones) Mathias
  85. Lomatium shevockii R.L.Hartm. & Constance
  86. Lomatium simplex (Nutt. ex S.Watson) J.F.Macbr.
  87. Lomatium stebbinsii Schlessman & Constance
  88. Lomatium suksdorfii (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  89. Lomatium swingerae R.P.McNeill
  90. Lomatium tamanitchii Darrach & Thie
  91. Lomatium tarantuloides Darrach & Hinchliff
  92. Lomatium tenuissimum (Geyer ex Hook.) M.A.Feist & G.M.Plunkett
  93. Lomatium thompsonii (Mathias) Cronquist
  94. Lomatium torreyi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  95. Lomatium tracyi Mathias & Constance
  96. Lomatium triternatum (Pursh) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  97. Lomatium tuberosum Hoover
  98. Lomatium utriculatum (Nutt.) J.M.Coult. & Rose
  99. Lomatium vaginatum J.M.Coult. & Rose
  100. Lomatium watsonii (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose

The Importance of Lomatium

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Lomatium species play a vital role in their ecosystems. They provide an important food source for pollinators, their nectar and pollen attracting a diverse array of bees, butterflies, and other insects. Their leaves and seeds also serve as sustenance for various wildlife species.

Historically, Lomatium species have held significant cultural and medicinal value for Native American tribes. The roots of some species, particularly Lomatium cous, were a staple food source, often dried and ground into flour. Other species were used for their medicinal properties, treating ailments ranging from colds and coughs to wounds and skin infections.

Conservation Concerns

Despite their resilience, Lomatium species face increasing threats due to habitat loss, overgrazing, and climate change. As their natural habitats are altered or destroyed, these plants struggle to survive. It’s crucial that we recognize the importance of conserving these valuable species and their fragile ecosystems.

My Personal Connection

My fascination with Lomatium stems from a deep appreciation for the intricate beauty and ecological significance of these often-overlooked plants. I’m drawn to their ability to thrive in challenging environments, their understated elegance, and their rich history.

I believe that by understanding and appreciating these plants, we can gain a greater understanding of the natural world and our place within it. I hope that my passion for Lomatium inspires others to look closer at the world around them and discover the hidden wonders that await.

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