Barestem Biscuitroot
ExplorePlants
Barestem Biscuitroot
Lomatium nudicaule
Barestem Biscuitroot is a special plant with bright yellow flowers that look like little stars. It grows in the wild and is a favorite snack for some animals. Its roots are tasty and can be eaten by people too!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Barestem Biscuitroot has striking yellow-green to bright yellow flower clusters, called umbels, that often appear on tall, leafless stalks before its fern-like basal leaves fully emerge. Its unique bare stems and broad, flattened seed pods make it stand out against rocky or dry landscapes.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyApiaceaeGenusLomatium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Indigenous peoples traditionally harvested and cooked the starchy roots for food.
Its unique name "Biscuitroot" comes from its roots being dried and ground into flour!
Sometimes, its yellow flowers are among the very first splashes of color in springtime.
The wide, flat seeds can float on wind, carrying them far to start new plants.
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Drinker
Barestem Biscuitroot has a thick taproot that dives deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive in dry, arid places.
Ability
Spring Sprinter
This plant can bloom very early in spring, giving it a head start on pollination before many other plants emerge.
Ability
Root Reserve
Barestem Biscuitroot stores energy in its large, edible taproot, allowing it to regrow quickly after dry periods or grazing.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-80 cm
- Spread
- 20-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Mining Bee
Andrena candida
Visits early spring flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Browses on the leaves and sometimes the flower heads.
eats
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Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this plant.
eaten by
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Thomomys bottae
Digs up and consumes the starchy taproots.
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any wild plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Barestem Biscuitroot?
30-80 cm
How wide does Barestem Biscuitroot spread?
20-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Barestem Biscuitroot?
0.1-0.2 cm
When does Barestem Biscuitroot bloom?
Spring
Is Barestem Biscuitroot edible?
Yes
Is Barestem Biscuitroot toxic?
None
What is Barestem Biscuitroot's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Barestem Biscuitroot pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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