Fernleaf Biscuitroot
Lomatium dissectum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Lomatium
- Species:
- Lomatium dissectum
- USDA Symbol:
- LODI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix muricolorella, Depressaria betina, Depressaria leptotaeniae, Greya subalba, Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), Indra swallowtail (Papilio indra)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep taproot following fire. Common in fire-maintained grasslands and shrub-steppe.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification and may germinate erratically over several weeks. Best sown in fall for natural stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Extended cold, moist stratification is needed. Seeds were also soaked in distilled water for 24 hours, placed in clear plastic germination boxes on two layers of blotter paper, thoroughly moistened with distilled water, and placed in a germinator at 4°C in the dark for a 60-day prechill.
Establishment: Germination rates and times may vary. Some protocols suggest that seeds may require two winters to germinate. Seed collection varies, but generally occurs in late June or early July. Seeds are typically dark brown in color when ready for collection.
Source: npn.rngr.net