Common Lomatium is a perennial herb native to coastal regions of North America from British Columbia to Baja California. It grows up to 2 feet tall with finely dissected, feathery leaves and produces bright yellow flowers in spring. Common Lomatium is drought deciduous and provides habitat and food for various insects and the Anise Swallowtail butterfly. It is easy to grow in full sun or part shade in most soil types with adequate winter/spring moisture and makes a good choice for natural gardens, rock gardens, and vegetable gardens.

1. Common Lomatium – Lomatium utriculatum
(lo-MAY-tee-um yoo-trik-yoo-LAY-tum )
Family: Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
Native to: Coastal states of North America from British Columbia to Baja.
In CA, west of Sierras &
desert mountains incl. w. L.A. county; open grassy slopes, prairie, meadows, woodlands to 4500'.
Growth characteristics:
herbaceous perennial
mature height: <1-2 ft.
mature width: 1-2 ft.
Drought-deciduous (to the ground) herbaceous perennial from a slender taproot. Leaves are finelydissected giving a feathery or fern-like appearance. Delicate appearance.
Blooms/fruits:
Blooms in spring, usually Mar-Apr depending on rains and temperatures. Tiny
flowers are a bright, golden yellow (hence the common name ‘Spring Gold’).
Several to many
flowers in up to 15 compact heads aggregated in a compound umbel.
Delicate, woodland
appearance. Attract a wide range of insects.
Uses in the garden: Often used as a habitat plant in natural gardens, rock gardens and on slopes.
Good choice for inclusion in a life-friendly ‘lawn’ with other native grasses, annuals & perennials.
Good choice for planting near/in vegetable gardens, under fruit trees. You leaves/shoots and roots
can be eaten, raw or cooked – or dried for later use. Roots used for headache & stomach ache.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native plants like Queen Ann’s Lace & similar perennials.
Attracts: Excellent insect habitat plant: attracts a wide variety of bees, flies, wasps and beetles.
Larval food source for Anise Swallowtail butterfly.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade.
Most soils, including heavy clay; local pH including alkali soils.
Good winter/spring soil moisture; taper off in late summer/fall.
Not really needed; probably wouldn’t hurt it.
Management:
Pretty easy to grow.
Will re-seed on bare ground. Bag seed heads to collect seed.
from seed: fresh seed; soak in several changes of water prior to planting if
purchased. Best planted in situ in prepared soils in fall.
Propagation:
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 30
7/2/12
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