Gray's biscuitroot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lomatium grayi |
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Selineae
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L. grayi
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| Lomatium grayi (Coult. & Rose) Coult. & Rose
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Lomatium grayi, also known as Gray's biscuitroot or Gray's desert parsley, is a wild plant. It is a type of herb that lives for many years, called a perennial. This plant belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots and parsley. You can find Gray's biscuitroot growing in Western Canada, especially in British Columbia. It also grows across the Western United States, from the Cascades to the Rocky Mountains. This plant prefers dry, rocky areas like banks and slopes. It usually lives for about 5 to 7 years.
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What Does Gray's Biscuitroot Look Like?
Gray's biscuitroot has smooth stems that grow from the ground. It also has a long, thick taproot, which is like a main root that goes deep into the soil. This plant blooms from March to July. Its flowers are yellow and grow in clusters called umbels. Each plant can have many of these flower clusters, and each cluster has hundreds of tiny yellow flowers.
Different Kinds of Gray's Biscuitroot
Scientists have identified different types, or varieties, of Gray's biscuitroot. One variety, called Lomatium grayi var. depauperatum, is found only in specific areas of northeastern Nevada and northwestern Utah. The more common variety is simply known as Lomatium grayi var. grayi.
How Scientists Study This Plant
Scientists are always learning more about plants. In 2018, a study looked closely at Lomatium grayi. They used a method called morphometrics, which means they measured and compared the shapes and sizes of different parts of the plant. Based on their findings, they suggested that what we call L. grayi might actually be four different species! These new species would be found in different regions, like Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountains. This shows how plant classification can change as new discoveries are made.
Traditional Uses of Gray's Biscuitroot
Long ago, the Northern Paiute people in Oregon used Gray's biscuitroot as a food source. They would eat the new, soft stems raw. The roots were also important, especially during winter. They were sometimes called a "starvation food" because they could help people survive when other foods were scarce.
Images for kids
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Mature seeds of Lomatium grayi
