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Lomatium attenuatum

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Taper-tip Desert-parsley

G3Vulnerable Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154275
Element CodePDAPI1B240
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyApiaceae
GenusLomatium
Other Common Names
tapertip desertparsley (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2013-09-06
Change Date1998-04-10
Edition Date2013-09-06
Edition AuthorsNeighbours, M.L., rev. W. Fertig/K. Maybury (6/96), B. Heidel (1999), rev. L. Oliver (2013)
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 80
Rank Reasons
There is 1 very extensive population in northwestern Wyoming, and approximatly 13 occurrences in the state, and 9 in southwestern Montana. The species is dependent on bare slopes with little vegetation, on volcanic or limestone substrates - and is apparently intrinsically rare. Threats appear to be low, however, it is likely vulnerable to climate change given how tightly linked its reproduction is to environmental cues. Invasive species are also a likely threat.
Range Extent Comments
A regional endemic to the Absaroka Mountains of northwestern Wyoming and the Tendoy Mountains of southwestern Montana. Extent of occurrence is estimated at 18,200 sq km based on NatureServe element occurrence data (2013).
Occurrences Comments
Recent survey indicates that occurrence in the North Fork Shoshone River drainage is one large continuous population; it occurs only in this drainge in Wyoming from 13 occurrences (Mills and Fertig 2000), and in 9 occurrences in Montana (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998).
Threat Impact Comments
Threats are considered low or moderate because of its inaccessible and rugged habitat. Some low elevation populations might be impacted by road and trail development (Mills and Fertig 2000).
Its habitat is relatively inaccessible except in the Grasshopper Creek drainage, but there is potential threat of spotted knapweed invasion at most Montana sites. Genetic variability in other narrowly restricted Lomatium has been reported to be low (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998). Finally, climate change is a threat given that its reproduction is highly dependent on cool spring temperatures and rainfall occurring in May and June, and annual temperatures are expected to be between 2.5 - 5 degrees warmer (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998, ClimateWizard 2013a).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Taper-tip desert-parsley is a low, herbaceous perennial with stems reaching 7-25 cm in height and bearing 1-2 nearly prostrate leaves on the lower portion. The leaf stalks form a sheath around the stem and the blades are broadly lance-shaped (2-11 cm long) and 3-4 times divided into oblong-linear segments, each 2-5 mm in length. The foliage is roughened like sandpaper. Tiny yellow flowers are borne atop the stems in 5-8 open, umbrella-like clusters with stalks 1-5 cm in length. Each cluster is subtended by up to 6 pointed, linear, inconspicuous bracts, or involucels. Flowers have 5 separate petals atop an ovary that matures into a glabrous, elliptical, flattened fruit 5-8 mm long with corky wings (about. 0.5 mm wide) and a stalk that is 3-10 mm long.

Diagnostic Characteristics

LOMATIUM COUS is similar but has an involucel of conspicuous elliptical bracts and smooth foliage.

Habitat

Volcanic or limestone-derived scree and thin soil in sagebrush-grassland, grassland, open Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and creek bottom communities. All sites have little herbaceous cover. 1615-2840 m.

Reproduction

Reproduction is only via seed production. Low fecundity, low numbers of flowers and seed set, have been reported, however, in at least one year, 1997, seed set was relavitely high (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998). Flowers mid May-June, and fruit in early June - July (Mills and Fertig 2000).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferGrassland/herbaceous
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
MontanaS3Yes
WyomingS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesRestricted (11-30%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)UnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (2)
Montana (2)
AreaForestAcres
Sheep MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,584
VigilanteBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest15,893
References (11)
  1. Dorn, R.D. 1988. Vascular plants of Wyoming. Mountain West Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 340 pp.
  2. Dorn, R.D. 1989. Report on the status of <i>Lomatium attenuatum</i>, a candidate Threatened species. Unpublished report prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 13 pp + appendices.
  3. Evert, E.F. 1983. A new species of Lomatium (Umbelliferae) from Wyoming. Madrono 30: 143-146.
  4. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2024. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 13. Magnoliophyta: Geraniaceae to Apiaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 566 pp.
  5. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  6. Mills, S., and W. Fertig. 1996. Field guide to rare and sensitive plants of the Shoshone National Forest. Unpublished report prepared by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. No pagination.
  7. Mills, S., and W. Fertig. 2000a. <i>Lomatium attenuatum</i>. Absaroka biscuitroot. State Species Abstract. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. Accessed online on Sept. 6, 2013 at: http://www.uwyo.edu/wyndd/_files/docs/reports/speciesabstracts/lomatium_attenuatum.pdf
  8. Vanderhorst, J. 1995b. Sensitive plant survey of the Tendoy Mountains in the Beaverhead National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana. Unpublished report to the Beaverhead National Forest. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 69 pp.
  9. Vanderhorst, J. 1995c. Survey of Bannack State Park and vicinity for Montana plant species of special concern. Unpublished report to Bannack State Park, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 43 pp.
  10. Vanderhorst, J. and B. Heidel. 1998a. Conservation status of <i>Lomatium attenuatum</i> in Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 20 pp. +app.
  11. Vanderhorst, J. P. and P. Lesica. 1994. Sensitive plant survey in the Tendoy Mountains, Beaverhead County, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management, Butte District. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 59 pp. plus appendices.