Description

California lomatium is one of many members of the carrot family, Apiaceae, native to California. One characteristic that is shared by most of them is the upright umbel of yellow or white flowers. This flower form is favored by butterflies, especially our native swallowtails. California lomatium grows primarily in sloped terrain in the Transverse Ranges and coastal mountains into Oregon. In Santa Clara County it grows in both the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. Following summer dormancy California lomatium sends up sprays of fragrant, compound leaves with lobed leaflets. As the tap root grows from year to year, the spring growth becomes larger and denser. Plant this lomatium in parietal shade and avoid watering in the summer, when it will go dormant (no above ground growth) until the next rainy season.