Lomatium shevockii

Hartman & Constance

Owen's Peak Lomatium

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156781
Element CodePDAPI1B2C0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyApiaceae
GenusLomatium
Other Common Names
Owen's Peak Desert-parsley (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 Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-22
Change Date2025-08-22
Edition Date2025-08-22
Edition AuthorsNiese, J., (R. Bittman 2005, 2025) and N. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank Reasons
Lomatium shevockii is a perennial forb occurring on slopes and talus in open coniferous or pine/oak woodlands of the western United States, where it is endemic to Kern County, California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is a very narrow endemic species, with only two occurrences known near the summit of Owens Peak and nearby Mt. Jenkins, containing fewer than 1,000 individuals total. Given the rugged and remote habitat of this species, threats are presumed to be minimal. However, the original construction of the Pacific Crest Trail runs through or close to populations and likely impacted plants. All occurrences are located within the Owens Peak Wilderness Area, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Range Extent Comments
Lomatium shevockii occurs in the western United States, where it is endemic to Kern County, California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (CalFlora 2025). Specifically, it is known from just two locations near the summit of Owens Peak and nearby Mt. Jenkins (Hartman and Constance 1988). The range extent was estimated to be one square kilometer.
Occurrences Comments
Only two small occurrences are known, both located in or near the Owens Peak Wilderness Area (CNPS 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
The extremely steep, rugged terrain Lomatium shevockii inhabits likely protects it from most human disturbance (Hartman and Constance 1988). The Owens Peak region of the Sierra Nevada is primarily used for recreational activities (Fraga 2008). Notably, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs along the east side of Mount Jenkins, with spur trails running to the summits of each peak, including Owens Peak. The construction of the PCT may have impacted individuals when the trail was built. Invasive species are also considered to be a threat to this species (CNPS 2025).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Lomatium shevockii occurs on colluvial slopes and talus along contact zones of metamorphic and granite rock in open coniferous or pine/oak woodlands from 2200-2500 m in elevation (Hartman and Constance 1988, Jepson Flora Project 2025). Associated species near the Owen's Peak population include Pinus jeffreyi, P. flexilis, P. monophylla, P. lambertiana, Abies concolor, and Juniperus occidentalis ssp. australis (Hartman and Constance 1988).

Reproduction

Lomatium shevockii produces flowers from April though May (Jepson Flora Project 2025).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedAlpineBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentRestricted (11-30%)Extreme or 71-100% pop. declineInsignificant/negligible or past
1.3 - Tourism & recreation areasRestricted (11-30%)Extreme or 71-100% pop. declineInsignificant/negligible or past
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge - restrictedSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesLarge - restrictedSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.1.1 - Unspecified speciesLarge - restrictedSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (1)
California (1)
AreaForestAcres
ScodiesSequoia National Forest725
References (8)
  1. CalFlora. 2025. Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. Berkeley, California: The CalFlora Database [web application]. Available: http://www.calflora.org/. (Accessed 2025).
  2. California Native Plant Society (CNPS), Rare Plant Program. 2025. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California, online edition, v9.5. Online. Available: https://www.rareplants.cnps.org (accessed 2025).
  3. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). 2025. RareFind Version 5.3.0. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
  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. Fraga, N.S. 2008. The vascular flora of the Owens Peak eastern watershed, southern Sierra Nevada, California. Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany 25(1): 1-29.
  6. Hartman, Ronald L. and Constance, Lincoln. 1988. A new <i>Lomatium </i>(Apiaceae) from the Sierran Crest of California. Madrono 35:121-125.
  7. Jepson Flora Project (eds.) 2025. Jepson eFlora. Online. Available: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/ (accessed 2025).
  8. 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.