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Biscuitroots (Lomatium)
Also known as : Indian parsleys
Biscuitroots are a genus of perennial herbs that are native to grasslands and glades of North America and Canada. Select species have been consumed by northwestern Native Americans as a staple in their diet. Their Latin name, Lomatium, means 'little border' in Greek and refers to its winged fruit. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Biscuitroots
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Attributes of Biscuitroots
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Biscuitroots
Distribution of Biscuitroots
Feedback
Distribution Map of Biscuitroots
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Biscuitroots
Feedback
Biscuitroots, a hardy North American genus, thrives with full sun to light shade exposure and prefers dry to medium moisture levels in well-drained soil. The ideal temperature varies by species, but most tolerate a range between 10-20°C. Common challenges include insect infestation (like aphids) and fungal diseases such as rust or mildew. Biscuitroots species are seasonally adaptable; spring and autumn require consistent watering, while moderation is key in summer and winter to prevent overhydration or freezing.
Exploring the Biscuitroots Plants
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8 most common species：
Fernleaf biscuitroot
Fernleaf biscuitroot is a perennial herb in the carrot family with a long, thick taproot. Its leaves grow from the base of the plant, and clusters of tiny yellow or red flowers sit on top. Fernleaf biscuitroot, or Lomatium dissectum, is found across the United States.
Barestem biscuitroot
Native to the western United States, barestem biscuitroot, or Lomatium nudicaule, is a member of the carrot family with a long, deep taproot. This perennial herb is often found in woodland habitats and bears yellow flowers which are frequently visited by pollinators. Native Americans once used barestem biscuitroot as a source of food.
Common lomatium
Common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum) is a perennial herb related to carrots that is native to western North America. It blooms with yellow flowers from early spring to summer, and can be planted as an ornamental. It attracts butterflies and hosts the larva of several species.
Nineleaf biscuitroot
You can probably tell from nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum)’s name that you can eat its roots. In fact, the starchy taproot saved Meriwether Lewis (part of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition) from dying from hunger. Native American tribes regularly feasted on it too. They roasted these roots or ground them into flour for later use.
Gray's biscuitroot
Gray's biscuitroot (Lomatium grayi) is a perennial herb that lives about 5-7 years. It tends to grow in dry and rocky habitats and generally blooms from spring to summer. The Northern Paiute Native American people in Oregon used gray's biscuitroot as a food source.
Bigseed biscuitroot
Bigseed biscuitroot is a flowering perennial in the carrot family that's native to western North America. It gets its common name from the size of its seeds, which are large compared to its small size. This little plant is great for growing in rock gardens.
Mojave desertparsley
Lomatium mohavense is a flowering plant commonly called mojave desertparsley. It is native to parts of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, specifically California, Baja California, Arizona and some adjacent areas. It grows in desert and mountain habitats.
Desert biscuitroot
A member of the carrot family, desert biscuitroot has a distinctive scent, similar to those of its cousin parsley. It also has characteristic parsley-like leaves, though they don't have an upright growth form; instead, they lie on the ground. Desert biscuitroot attracts a number of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
All Species of Biscuitroots
Fernleaf biscuitroot
Fernleaf biscuitroot
Fernleaf biscuitroot is a perennial herb in the carrot family with a long, thick taproot. Its leaves grow from the base of the plant, and clusters of tiny yellow or red flowers sit on top. Fernleaf biscuitroot, or Lomatium dissectum, is found across the United States.
Barestem biscuitroot
Barestem biscuitroot
Native to the western United States, barestem biscuitroot, or Lomatium nudicaule, is a member of the carrot family with a long, deep taproot. This perennial herb is often found in woodland habitats and bears yellow flowers which are frequently visited by pollinators. Native Americans once used barestem biscuitroot as a source of food.
Common lomatium
Common lomatium
Common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum) is a perennial herb related to carrots that is native to western North America. It blooms with yellow flowers from early spring to summer, and can be planted as an ornamental. It attracts butterflies and hosts the larva of several species.
Nineleaf biscuitroot
Nineleaf biscuitroot
You can probably tell from nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum)’s name that you can eat its roots. In fact, the starchy taproot saved Meriwether Lewis (part of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition) from dying from hunger. Native American tribes regularly feasted on it too. They roasted these roots or ground them into flour for later use.
Gray's biscuitroot
Gray's biscuitroot
Gray's biscuitroot (Lomatium grayi) is a perennial herb that lives about 5-7 years. It tends to grow in dry and rocky habitats and generally blooms from spring to summer. The Northern Paiute Native American people in Oregon used gray's biscuitroot as a food source.
Bigseed biscuitroot
Bigseed biscuitroot
Bigseed biscuitroot is a flowering perennial in the carrot family that's native to western North America. It gets its common name from the size of its seeds, which are large compared to its small size. This little plant is great for growing in rock gardens.
Mojave desertparsley
Mojave desertparsley
Lomatium mohavense is a flowering plant commonly called mojave desertparsley. It is native to parts of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, specifically California, Baja California, Arizona and some adjacent areas. It grows in desert and mountain habitats.
Desert biscuitroot
Desert biscuitroot
A member of the carrot family, desert biscuitroot has a distinctive scent, similar to those of its cousin parsley. It also has characteristic parsley-like leaves, though they don't have an upright growth form; instead, they lie on the ground. Desert biscuitroot attracts a number of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Canby's biscuitroot
Canby's biscuitroot
It is a perennial herb growing up to about 25 centimeters tall. It lacks a stem, producing erect leaves and inflorescences from ground level. The leaves are up to 15 centimeters long and divided into many highly divided leaflets. The inflorescence is topped with a dense umbel of whitish flowers.
Cous biscuitroot
Cous biscuitroot
It is called x̣áwš in the Sahaptin language, and qáamsit (when fresh) and qáaws (when peeled and dried) in the Nez Perce language.
Butte desertparsley
Butte desertparsley
Butte desertparsley is a hardy perennial herb with a robust profile, endemic to rocky outcrops and well-drained soils. It thrives with its fern-like, pinnately compound leaves and a distinct margin of tiny white flowers crowning a tall stalk. The plant's resilience in arid climates is enhanced by a taproot system that delves deep for moisture.
Canyonlands biscuitroot
Canyonlands biscuitroot
Canyonlands biscuitroot is a perennial herb distinguished by its broad, lobed leaves and umbel clusters of yellow flowers. Typically thriving in dry, rocky soils within open woodlands, its stout taproot aids survival through arid conditions. Adaptable yet enigmatic, canyonlands biscuitroot's distinctive foliage adds a touch of wild elegance to its native rugged terrains.
Mt. hamilton desertparsley
Mt. hamilton desertparsley
Mt. hamilton desertparsley is a hardy perennial herb with distinctive umbel clusters of yellow or purple flowers that bloom in spring. Adapted to arid habitats, it typically thrives in well-drained soils and full sun. Mt. hamilton desertparsley's fern-like leaves and thick taproot system allow it to efficiently use scarce water resources, making it resilient to the variable conditions of its native environments.
Nevada biscuitroot
Nevada biscuitroot
Nevada biscuitroot (Lomatium nevadense), a member of the carrot family, produces small white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels. Like the carrot, its taproot is edible and is a clue to its nickname. While in the American Southwest, explorers Lewis and Clark were given biscuits made from the plant's root by the local inhabitants.
California lomatium
California lomatium
California lomatium grows in low hills in California and Oregon. It is named for its native state, California. This plant is a close relative of the parsnip and carrot, and its leaves resemble those of celery. Native American cultures prized it for its many uses. This plant is an important food for the larval form of the Anise swallowtail butterfly.
Little desertparsley
Little desertparsley
Little desertparsley is a small perennial herb with distinctive feathery leaves that provide it the resilience to thrive in rocky, often arid environments. Its tiny, yellow clustered flowers emerge in spring, sitting atop slender stalks and attracting pollinators, while its deep taproot anchors and nourishes it in the nutrient-sparse soils it favors.
Butte desertparsley
Butte desertparsley
Butte desertparsley is a hardy perennial herb with a robust, purplish stem and intricately divided leaves, characteristic of the Lomatium genus. Its margins are lined with fine, delicate hairs which catch the dew in its arid mountain habitats. In spring, butte desertparsley produces umbels of small, yellow flowers that later develop into winged fruits, specialized for wind dispersal. These adaptations facilitate survival in rugged terrains, emphasizing its resilience.
Shiny biscuitroot
Shiny biscuitroot
Shiny biscuitroot's most notable feature is its glossy, compound leaves that give off a distinct aroma when crushed. This hardy perennial thrives in the arid conditions of Western North America, where its deep taproots anchor it into rocky slopes. Its towering umbels of yellow flowers bloom in the spring, serving as a beacon to pollinators and a testament to its resilience in sparse environments.
Woollyfruit desertparsley
Woollyfruit desertparsley
Lomatium dasycarpum is native to California and Baja California. It is about half a meter tall. The upright leaves emerge from the base, growing up to 24 cm long with blades divided into many small, narrow segments. The inflorescence is an umbel of hairy greenish or purplish flowers.
Purple leptotaenia
Purple leptotaenia
Purple leptotaenia is a perennial herb native to the Pacific Northwest. It thrives in open, rocky soils, a testament to its resilience. This plant sports tall, hollow stems and umbrella-like clusters of yellow flowers, with deeply cut leaves that give it a feathery appearance. Its distinctiveness lies in the large, biscuit-shaped taproot, an adaptation for survival in arid conditions.
Brandegee's desert-parsley
Brandegee's desert-parsley
Brandegee's desert-parsley is a perennial herb thriving in rocky, open habitats, showcasing a strong adaptability to arid conditions. It sprouts a cluster of basal leaves, fleshy and dissected, which contribute to its water storage strategy. Rising from these, a stout stem topped with yellow umbel flowers distinguishes it during its blooming stage, providing a vibrant contrast against the rugged terrain.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Biscuitroots
Lomatium
Also known as: Indian parsleys
Biscuitroots are a genus of perennial herbs that are native to grasslands and glades of North America and Canada. Select species have been consumed by northwestern Native Americans as a staple in their diet. Their Latin name, Lomatium, means 'little border' in Greek and refers to its winged fruit.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Biscuitroots
Feedback
Attributes of Biscuitroots
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Biscuitroots
Distribution of Biscuitroots
Feedback
Distribution Map of Biscuitroots
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Biscuitroots
Feedback
Biscuitroots, a hardy North American genus, thrives with full sun to light shade exposure and prefers dry to medium moisture levels in well-drained soil. The ideal temperature varies by species, but most tolerate a range between 10-20°C. Common challenges include insect infestation (like aphids) and fungal diseases such as rust or mildew. Biscuitroots species are seasonally adaptable; spring and autumn require consistent watering, while moderation is key in summer and winter to prevent overhydration or freezing.
Exploring the Biscuitroots Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Fernleaf biscuitroot
Fernleaf biscuitroot is a perennial herb in the carrot family with a long, thick taproot. Its leaves grow from the base of the plant, and clusters of tiny yellow or red flowers sit on top. Fernleaf biscuitroot, or Lomatium dissectum, is found across the United States.
Barestem biscuitroot
Native to the western United States, barestem biscuitroot, or Lomatium nudicaule, is a member of the carrot family with a long, deep taproot. This perennial herb is often found in woodland habitats and bears yellow flowers which are frequently visited by pollinators. Native Americans once used barestem biscuitroot as a source of food.
Common lomatium
Common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum) is a perennial herb related to carrots that is native to western North America. It blooms with yellow flowers from early spring to summer, and can be planted as an ornamental. It attracts butterflies and hosts the larva of several species.
Nineleaf biscuitroot
You can probably tell from nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum)’s name that you can eat its roots. In fact, the starchy taproot saved Meriwether Lewis (part of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition) from dying from hunger. Native American tribes regularly feasted on it too. They roasted these roots or ground them into flour for later use.
Show More Species
All Species of Biscuitroots
Fernleaf biscuitroot
Barestem biscuitroot
Common lomatium
Nineleaf biscuitroot
Gray's biscuitroot
Bigseed biscuitroot
Mojave desertparsley
Desert biscuitroot
Canby's biscuitroot
Cous biscuitroot
Butte desertparsley
Canyonlands biscuitroot
Mt. hamilton desertparsley
Nevada biscuitroot
California lomatium
Little desertparsley
Butte desertparsley
Shiny biscuitroot
Woollyfruit desertparsley
Purple leptotaenia
Brandegee's desert-parsley
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
