Nuttall'S Biscuitroot

Lomatium nuttallii

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Lomatium
Species:
Lomatium nuttallii
USDA Symbol:
LONU3

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)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), Indra swallowtail (Papilio indra)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from deep taproot following fire; common in fire-prone sagebrush steppe and grassland communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Prefers open, rocky habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic and may occur over several weeks.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI