# Carrotleaf Biscuitroot (*Lomatium multifidum*)

Carrotleaf Biscuitroot is a special plant with pretty yellow flowers and unique, carrot-like leaves. It grows in the wild and is a favorite among butterflies and bees!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands
- **Also known as:** Fernleaf Biscuitroot, Lomatium dissectum

![Carrotleaf Biscuitroot](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/127042657/medium.jpg)

Photo: Trevor Van Loon, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/127042657)

## Appearance

The Carrotleaf Biscuitroot has finely dissected, fern-like leaves that resemble tiny carrot tops, growing in a basal rosette. Its small, bright yellow flowers are clustered in flat-topped umbrella-like structures, standing atop slender stems.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Indigenous peoples traditionally dug up and ate its starchy roots, raw or cooked!
- It's a distant relative of carrots, parsley, and dill, all in the same plant family!
- Its seeds were used by Native American tribes as a nutty, celery-like seasoning for food!
- This plant's deep taproot can grow surprisingly long, helping it survive long droughts!

## Special abilities

- **Water Finder:** Carrotleaf Biscuitroot can grow a long, thick taproot that helps it find deep water in dry, rocky soils to survive harsh conditions.
- **Sun Shield:** Carrotleaf Biscuitroot has finely divided leaves that reduce surface area, helping it cope with intense sunlight and minimize water loss.
- **Bug Beacon:** Carrotleaf Biscuitroot has bright yellow flower clusters that act like a giant landing pad, helping it attract many different insect pollinators.
- **Seed Spreader:** Carrotleaf Biscuitroot produces flattened, winged seeds that help them travel further on the wind, spreading to new locations.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 15-45 cm
- **Spread:** 10-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — attracted by its bright yellow flowers
- **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — deer browse its leaves and stems
- **Pollinates:** Two-form Bumblebee (*Bombus bifarius*) — a native bee collecting nectar and pollen

## 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.
- [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
- [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.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [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 look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Carrotleaf 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 Carrotleaf Biscuitroot?

15-45 cm

### How wide does Carrotleaf Biscuitroot spread?

10-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Carrotleaf Biscuitroot?

0.2-0.4 cm

### When does Carrotleaf Biscuitroot bloom?

Spring to early Summer

### Is Carrotleaf Biscuitroot edible?

Yes

### Is Carrotleaf Biscuitroot toxic?

None

### What is Carrotleaf Biscuitroot's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Bush's Pasture Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bushs-pasture-park) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden
- [Stemwinder Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stemwinder-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## 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: [Carrotleaf Biscuitroot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carrotleaf-biscuitroot)