Lomatium latilobum Family: Apiaceae (A Utah Flora – Umbelliferae) – Carrot Family Perennial herbs from taproots; some strongly aromatic; stems usually stout, furrowed, with hollow internodes; plants 4” to 1' (10 to 30 centimeters) tall; tuberous roots Leaves: Usually alternate, basal; compound with sheathing leaf bases; no hairs; pinnate, leaflet 0.4” to 1.6” (1 to 4 cm) long; 0.08” to 0.48” (2 to 12 mm) wide Flowers: 5 small yellow petals in clusters (compound umbel); when flowers are dry may appear white; 5 sepals or lacking; 5 stamens; 1 pistil; 2 styles; small yellow flowers. Unisexual or bisexual Pollinators: other Lomatium species are pollinated by insects Fruits: schizocarp; flat and wide with lateral wings – splits into 2 halves, each 1 seeded Blooms in Arches National Park: February, March, April Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: Devils Garden, Herdina Park, Fiery Furnace Other: The genus name, “Lomatium”, comes from the Greek “loma” for "bordered or fringed" and refers to the prominent winged fruits. The species name, “latilobum”, means “broad lobes” and refers to the shape of the leaf. Lomatium latilobum is endemic to Grand and San Juan Counties in Utah and Mesa County in Colorado. The type specimen was collected on Wilson Mesa in Grand County. It is typically found living in the sand from Entrada sandstone. Unfortunately, it can be killed with one misplaced footstep.
The family identification depends on anatomical details of fruits and seeds. |
Last updated: December 30, 2022