Bigseed Biscuitroot
Lomatium macrocarpum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Thayne Tuason
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Lomatium
- Species:
- Lomatium macrocarpum
- USDA Symbol:
- LOMA3
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:
- white, 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 whitmani, Greya subalba
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot after fire; adapted to fire-prone grassland and sagebrush ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification; germination can be erratic. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 45 to 90 days of cool/moist stratification
Establishment: The plant is generally found from Central to North-Western US and into Canada.
Source: npn.rngr.net