Lomatium dissectum is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common names fernleaf biscuitroot, fernleaf desert parsley, carrotleaf biscuitroot, chocolate tips and coastal chocolate-tips[1]
Description
It is a perennial herb reaching up to 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) tall,[1] growing from a thick taproot. The leaves are mostly attached near the base of the plant,[1] spreading with petioles up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long and large blades divided into many small,[1] narrow segments. The inflorescence is an umbel of many small yellow, purple, or reddish flowers, each cluster on a leafless stem[1] up to 10 cm long. The fruits resemble pumpkin seeds. Screening tests have been performed on root extracts of L. dissectum to assess its activity against viruses[2] and bacteria.[3]
There are two varieties recognized, which have been treated as separate species (L. multifidum and L. dissectum) and as varieties of single species (L. dissectum var. multifidum and L. dissectum var. dissectum). In regions where both taxa co-occur, L. dissectum is still in flower when L. multifidum is producing fruit.[4]
Lomatiumdissectum var. multifidum (Nutt.) R.P. McNeill & Darrach – throughout western North America; interior British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming[5] – south-facing slopes of shallow, rocky soil sites, at lower elevations[4] – well-developed stalks, with yellow flowers.[6]
