Lomatium watsonii

Lomatium watsonii is a small perennial herb in the Apiaceae family with the common name of Watson's desertparsley. It is known only from mountain slopes and ridges in eastern Washington and Oregon.

Description

Lomatium watsonii is a low growing herb with leaves arising directly from the crown of a thickened taproot. Each green leaf is multiply divided, with narrow terminal segments from 1 to 5 mm long. The leaves are usually densely covered with short white hairs. The tiny cream to yellow flowers are presented in a compound umbel atop a stout red to green stem, with broad bractlets at the base of each secondary umbel. The flower stem is nearly prostrate to elevated at a moderate angle. The fruit is usually covered with very short hairs and is ovate and 6-7 mm long.

Range and habitat

Lomatium watsonii is found in mountains on the east side of the Cascade crest in Washington and northern Oregon, often on exposed mountain tops or ridges in rocky soil.