Search / Plant Profile / Lomatium latilobum

Plant Profile

Canyonlands Lomatium (Lomatium latilobum)

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Apiaceae
State: CO, UT
Nature Serve ID: 153286
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987

Description:

Canyonlands biscuitroot, Lomatium latilobum, is found on the steep rocky talus created by collapse of the magnificent red sandstone cliffs and in fissures on slickrock. As such, the restricted acessibility of its habitat appears to be protecting this species from extinction (Spackman 1997). L. latilobum is a perennial herb that is a member of the Carrot Family. The pinnate leaves have 3-4 pairs of lateral leaflets. Besides attractive leaf masses, some individuals are strongly aromatic, with a lemon or anise scent. In April the flower produces five small yellow petals in clusters. When dying, the flower appears white. "Lomatium" is named from the Greek "loma for "bordered or fringed", referring to the conspicuous winged fruit. "Latilobum" comes from the shape of the leaf, meaning "broad lobes" (Utah Native Plant Society 2003-2007; Welsh et al. 1987; National Park Service).

Where is Canyonlands Lomatium (Lomatium latilobum) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species is found in sandy soils derived from Entrada Sandstone Formation and Navajo Sandstone between fins and in slot canyons with desert shrub, pinion-juniper, or ponderosa pine mountain brush communities. Elev. 4,600-7,100 ft. (Utah Native Plant Society 2003-2007).

Distribution:

This species is endemic to Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah; and Mesa County, Colorado (Utah Native Plant Society 2003-2007).

States & Provinces:

Canyonlands Lomatium can be found in Colorado, Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Canyonlands Lomatium (Lomatium latilobum)?

Denver Botanic Gardens

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to Grand and San Juan counties, Utah and adjacent Mesa County, Colorado. There are approximately 12 to 17 extant occurrences. Threats to the species are high as this species is vulnerable to trampling by hikers and mountain bikes, and occurs in high-use hiking and mountain biking areas.

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

Threats include trampling by hikers and mountain bikers.

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

There are approximately 5,000 individuals, distributed among fourteen occurrences in Utah and three occurrences in Colorado. There are also two other Colorado occurrences based on collection-based historic records (CNHP 2006 and UTNHP 2006).

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

None known.

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

There is no formal plan drafted and implemented.

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

Information on all aspects of this species' biology and ecology is needed.

Akiko Okawado

01/01/2010

Not Available