(Gray) J.F. Macbr.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.130299
Element CodePDAPI1B1B0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyApiaceae
GenusLomatium
SynonymsAletes nuttallii(Gray) Weber
Other Common NamesNuttall's biscuitroot (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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.
Taxonomic CommentsHere (following Kartesz 1994 and 1999) excluding the taxa variously known as Lomatium graveolens, kingii, and graveolens/kingii var. alpinum. LEM 5Mar94 & 29Jun00. The name Lomatium nuttalli has traditionally been applied to what is now referred to as Lomatium graveolens; Nuttall's plant, excluding L. graveolens, has generally been called L. megarrhizum, occurring in western Nebraska and Wyoming (Cronquist et al., 1997), and possibly in Colorado and Montana. (M. Martinez, Sep. 24, 1997).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-02-04
Change Date2026-02-04
Edition Date2026-02-04
Edition AuthorsBeckman, J. (1/97); rev. M. Martinez (Sep/1997); rev. B. Heidel (1999); rev. L. Morse (2000); rev. Soteropoulos (2026)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsLomatium nuttallii is a wide-ranging perennial herb found on slopes in sandy, clayey, or rocky soils in open woodlands. It occurs in the western Great Plains in the central United States, from eastern Colorado and across southern Wyoming to western Nebraska and, historically, in South Dakota, and disjunct in southeastern Montana. There are at least 40, but fewer than 81, occurrences rangewide with an estimated population size over 10,000. It faces threats from development, livestock grazing, energy development, roadside and powerline rights-of-way maintenance, recreational activities, and invasive species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and moderate number of occurrences, this species is considered apparently secure.
Range Extent CommentsLomatium nuttallii occurs in the western Great Plains in the central United States, from eastern Colorado and across southern Wyoming to western Nebraska and, historically, in South Dakota, and disjunct in southeastern Montana (Cronquist et al. 1997, FNA 2024, Montana Natural Heritage Program 2026). Range extent was estimated to be over 200,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2025, GBIF 2026, iNaturalist 2026, NatureServe 2026, SEINet 2026).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 40, but fewer than 81, occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2025, GBIF 2026, iNaturalist 2026, NatureServe 2026, SEINet 2026).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by development, livestock grazing leading to trampling and habitat degradation, energy development (coal and/or coalbed methane development), roadside and powerline rights-of-way maintenance, recreational activities (especially off-road vehicles), and invasive species, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2022, Montana Natural Heritage Program 2026, NatureServe 2026).