California rock parsnip, Lomatium californicum, is a perennial herb of California and Oregon which grows in partial shade on low elevation mountains and hillsides. Drought tolerant once established, California rock parsnip grows roughly 1 foot tall and has a unique blue-green foliage with broad umbels of yellow flowers which rise above the foliage 6 to 8 inches. As a butterfly larval host, this is a great plant to mix in with any native planting. A relative of carrot and parsnip, Lomatium californicum was harvested commonly by native tribes and used for both its medicinal and edible qualities.
