Barestem Biscuit Root, Pestle Parsnip

I grew these from stratified seed in 2008, and all of the plants only put on only one leaf, then went dormant in June despite keeping the...Read More plants moist. I am hoping they grow more than that this year.

This plant was used by Native Americans for an early season green- the leaves are high in vitamin C- and not too pungent when very young. Out of all of the Lomatium species this one seems to be very tolerant of disturbance, and does well even in areas heavily grazed by cattle- as the plants rapidly become too pungent to eat- similar to the taste of celery or parsley times 10. The seeds were also eaten and used as a cooking spice as well as serving as a vermifuge in food caches.