100 Species in 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.