Cymopterus
Cymopterus is a genus of perennial plants in the family Apiaceae native to western North America. They are commonly known as the spring parsleys and are edible. They are mostly stemless, taprooted perennial herbs with leaves at ground level and flowering scapes bearing yellow, white, or purple flowers.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of this genus was described as confused in 2004, even after many decades of study. Authors have organized it in different ways, sometimes including several closely related Apiaceae genera within it. Genera recently segregated from Cymopterus include Vesper, six plants with morphological characters that are well-defined and easily separated from Cymopterus; the group has been separated before, but was reintegrated during repeated reorganizations of the genus. The number of accepted species has varied between about 50 to about 35.
The genus was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1819.
Species
Plants of the World Online lists 42 accepted species:Cymopterus aboriginum – Indian parsnip, Indian springparsleyCymopterus alpinus Cymopterus basalticus – basalt springparsleyCymopterus beckii – featherleaf springparsleyCymopterus cinerarius – gray springparsleyCymopterus corrugatus Cymopterus coulteri Cymopterus crawfordensis Cymopterus davidsonii Cymopterus davisii – Davis' springparsleyCymopterus deserticola – desert springparsleyCymopterus douglassii – Douglass' springparsleyCymopterus duchesnensis – Duchesne biscuitroot, Uinta Basin springparsleyCymopterus evertii – Evert's springparsleyCymopterus gilmanii – Gilman's springparsleyCymopterus glaucus – smooth springparsley, waxy springparsleyCymopterus globosus – globe springparsleyCymopterus glomeratus – plains springparsleyCymopterus goodrichii – Goodrich's springparsley, Toiyabe springparsleyCymopterus hendersonii Cymopterus ibapensis Cymopterus jonesii – Jones' springparsleyCymopterus lapidosus Cymopterus lemmonii Cymopterus longilobus Cymopterus longipes – longstalk springparsley, sprawling springparsleyCymopterus longiradiatus Cymopterus macdougalii Cymopterus megacephalus – largeleaf springparsleyCymopterus minimus – Cedar Breaks springparsleyCymopterus newberryi – sweetroot springparsley, sticky springparsleyCymopterus nivalis – snowline springparsley, Elko springparsleyCymopterus panamintensis – Panamint springparsleyCymopterus petraeus Cymopterus purpureus – purple springparsley, Colorado Plateau springparsley, variable springparsleyCymopterus ripleyi – Ripley's springparsleyCymopterus rosei – Rose's springparsleyCymopterus sessiliflorus Cymopterus spellenbergii Cymopterus terebinthinus – turpentine wavewingCymopterus trotteri Cymopterus williamsii – Williams' springparsley
Formerly included here
Oreoxis bakeri Oreoxis humilis Vesper multinervatus