# 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!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Barestem Biscuitroot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lomatium_nudicaule_6022.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lomatium_nudicaule_6022.JPG)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Apiales
- **Family:** Apiaceae
- **Genus:** Lomatium

## 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

- **Deep Drinker:** Barestem Biscuitroot has a thick taproot that dives deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive in dry, arid places.
- **Spring Sprinter:** This plant can bloom very early in spring, giving it a head start on pollination before many other plants emerge.
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on the leaves and sometimes the flower heads.
- **Eats:** [Anise Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anise-swallowtail) (*Papilio zelicaon*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this plant.
- **Eaten by:** [Botta's Pocket Gopher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bottas-pocket-gopher) (*Thomomys bottae*) — Digs up and consumes the starchy taproots.

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any wild plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Barestem Biscuitroot?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Barestem Biscuitroot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barestem-biscuitroot)