Also called: Chocolate Tips Lomatium dissectum L. ‘Lomatia’, Gr. ‘loma’ border or edge (referring to the winged edges of the seeds); ‘dissectum’ deeply cut or divided into deep lobes or segments (describes the leaves)

Description. Desert-Parsley, an amazing perennial of the carrot family, grows from a large woody tap-root. It grows 30-150cm (12-60”) tall. The leaves are fern-like and the yellow or deep-purple umbrella-shaped flowers, showing in the spring, are held high above the leaves on tall hollow stocks. You will find Desert-Parsley in dry grass-lands, or tucked under the canopy protection of Saskatoon bushes or at the bases of trees.

Historical plant use. The roots and young shoots were eaten, or the roots dried and later cooked with the bulbs of the yellow glacier lily.

Unusual aspects of this plant. Desert-Parsley looks like it should be growing in a moist forest. However, after producing seed the plant quickly goes dormant, looking dead until the following spring when it once again produces it’s lush growth.