Lomatium californicum

Lomatium californicum is a species of plant related to the carrot and the parsnip which is known by the common names California rock parsnip, celery weed, and California lomatium.[1]

Lomatium californicum
Scientific classification
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L. californicum
Binomial name
Lomatium californicum
(Nutt.) Mathias & Constance

This plant is native to California and Oregon.[2] It is found on mountains and hills, at elevations of 150–1,800 metres (490–5,910 ft).[3]

Description

Lomatium californicum grows to 3–12 decimetres (0.98–3.94 ft). It has coarsely toothed to lobed blue-green leaves. They resemble those of common celery in both appearance and taste.

The yellow flowers are in broad umbels of 1.5–3 decimetres (5.9–11.8 in) in diameter.[3]

Uses

It is a traditional Native American food source and medicinal plant, with various parts of the plant used, including by the Kawaiisu, Yuki, and Yurok peoples.[4] The Yuki chewed it while hunting to prevent deer from detecting human scents.[4] The Chumash called it chuchupaste (lit. plant of great virtue) and used it to cure headaches and stomach pain.[5]

References


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