Apiaceae / Lomatium sp. / Biscuitroots / Wild Carrot / Wild Parsley

One of the first perennial wildflowers to emerge from the bleak desert winter, these friends of ours often hide themselves amidst the protective sagebrush shrubbery. When we first met them, we couldn’t help but make comparisons to the common cultivated carrot, of which we were well acquainted with over years of farmwork. While their leaves and even inflorescences (flower clusters) can look similar to the uninitiated, they are wholly and completely their own individuals and truly one of the most fantastic plants in our region. A staunchly American plant, sightings of the nearly 100 species of Lomatium bathe the western hemisphere from Metepec (Mexico), to Missouri (USA) to Maple Creek (Canada).

When it comes to humans, these plants serve a variety of uses from the edible to the medicinal, depending on the particular species you have in hand. While we are firm advocates of the adage ”Let food be thy medicine", Lomatium tends to be a bit more dichotomous in it’s utilizations and we typically use specific species for either one or the other.

In the dark ages of Covid, a tincture of species with more medicinal roots were a staple in our household while the leaves and flowers make a lovely infusion for the treatment of colds, coughs and sore throats. 

As a food, the root in particular is a staple for many North American Native tribes. Typicaly eaten raw or cooked, it can also be ground into a flour and used as a flavoring. The seeds, flowers and leaves are delicious in a variety of applications from raw to dried and utilized as a spice. Flavor is quite versatile, but often imbibes a more-delightful-than-parsley experience.

One important thing to note is that, like most root vegetables, once you take the food you kill the plant. While this genus isn’t generally considered rare, some species of Lomatium are and, regardless, it is essential to have a light touch when harvesting anything from the wild (or better yet...grow your own!). A good rule of thumb for reciprocation for this genus is to harvest the below-ground parts at the same time the plant is going to seed. That way, you can spread seeds into the bare earth from which you’ve taken the plants. We spend quite a bit of time every year spreading seeds and tending to the habitat of this plant to ensure they come back healthier and more bountiful every year. A practice that we strive to emulate with all living creatures that we forage.