San Nicholas Biscuitroot

Lomatium insulare

Native to:
Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Lomatium
Species:
Lomatium insulare
USDA Symbol:
LOIN2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
40 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from deep taproot following fire; typical of fire-adapted sagebrush steppe species.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to coastal and island areas with sandy soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds benefit from cold stratification and may germinate erratically over several weeks.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI