Lomatium martindalei is a perennial herb with a flower stalk15 to 40 centimeters tall from a carrot-like taproot. There is often no stem, with the spreading or semi-erect leaves and inflorescence emerging from ground level. The thinly fleshy leaves may approach 20 centimeters long, their blades divided into leaflets made up of many small oval segments. The inflorescence bears an umbel of small yellowish flowers.