Photo by Ronald J. Taylor
Common lomatium
(Lomatium utriculatum)
Additional common names
describing lomatium include called hog fennel[1],
spring gold, fineleaf desert-parsley, and bladder
desert-parsley.
Edible uses include eating
the root raw or cooked. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder or
roasted as a vegetable. Young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as
greens.[2],
[3]
A wide variety of bees,
flies, wasps and beetles visit the flowers of Lomatium
spp. and are likely pollinators.
Range
Climate, elevation
Common lomatium
grows in diverse climates, ranging from the cool, humid conditions near the
coast to hot, dry environments in inland valleys and foothill woodlands. It can
tolerate rainfall 40 to 70 [cm] at the desert edge and can be found growing in
elevations up to 4500' 1
Local occurrence
Open grasslands in northern
and southern portions of the Puget Lowland and the adjacent Georgia Depression of
B.C.[5]
Habitat preferences
Common lomatium
can be found growing in open grassy slopes, meadows, and woodlands[6],
particularly in prairies and rocky slopes west of the Cascades. It can also be
found west of the Sierras in Central Oak Woodland, and Coastal Sage Scrub plant
communities.1
Plant strategy
Early successional
Associated species
Collected as seed
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
Collect seed heads and allow
them to air dry indoors for at least a week before cleaning. Crush the heads
with a rolling pin to remove seeds from small pods, separate the chaff from seed.
Seed germination
Seeds are best sown as soon
as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be rather slow to germinate,
when sown in the spring it usually takes 12 weeks to germinate. Giving it a
period of cold stratification might reduce this time. For cold stratification place
seeds on moistened blotter paper, cover with second moistened piece of paper,
place in zip-lock plastic sandwich bag and seal. Place bags in dark cold room
for 12 weeks.[7]
Seed life
Lomatium likely has a short seed life. Kaye (1992) found that Lomatium bradshawii
does not reproduce vegetatively or maintain a
persistent soil seed bank (most seeds germinate the year after they fall,
leaving few for remaining years). However, germination trials at Berry Botanical
Gardens included one and 13 year old
seeds subjected to 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by alternating
50/68°F (10/20°C) both germinated at a rate of 80%, while a constant 68° F
(20°C) resulted in 70% and 50% respectively. After 16 weeks cold stratification,
one and 13 year old accessions yielded 70% and 90% germination respectively
when subjected to the alternating temperature treatment, and 100% and 90%
respectively at the constant temperature.[8]
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Cold store dry seeds in a
sealed container
Propagation recommendations
Sow seeds in black plastic
flats lined with newspaper, spacing seeds approximately 4.5cm x 4 cm apart. Lomatium seedlings should be watered 3-7 times per week in
order to keep peat moist. Fertilize seedlings every-other-week, beginning
several weeks after germination (e.g. two-hundred parts per million Peter’s
Peat-lie Special fertilizer).7
Soil or medium requirements
Use peat medium such as Terra-Lite Redi-Earth7
Installation form
The seedlings need to be
pricked out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle,
and should be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer. Fresh
seed can be sown immediately in situ. Division may be possible in spring or
autumn.[9]
Recommended planting
Plant mid-March in full sun, in
a well drained soil.[10]
Care requirements after installed
Water daily, with restricted
water as plants mature.
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
Moderate lifespan, up to 30
cm tall
Data compiled by Amy
Lambert,