Suksdorf's Desert Parsley: Lomatium suksdorfii

Suksdorf's desert parsley as see on on slopes above Canyon Creek in the Klickitat Wildlife Area........May 17, 2017

Suksdorf's desert parsley is an attractive, erect perennial with branching growth arising from 50-200cm high. The large leaves are ternately- to pinnately-compound with dissected margins. The leaflets are long and narrow (See photos.) and range from 1-5 cm long and 1-5 mm wide.

The inflorescence is an umbel of many clusters of smaller umbels. The longer rays of the umbel range from 6-11 cm long. Long narrow bracts up to 1 cm long subtend the smaller umbels. Theminute flowers have 5 tiny petals and the flowers are yellow. The large fruits are glabrous at maturity and range from 15-32 mm long with lateral wings 1/3-1/2 as wide as th body of the fruit. The dorsal ribs of the the fruit are distinctly raised or narrowly winged.

Suksdorf's desert parsley may be found on dry open, grassy slopes or in open oak woods.

Suksdorf's desert parsley may only be found in portions of the Klickitat River canyon northwards to near the northern boundary of Klickitat County, WA and southward to the White River in Wasco County, OR.

In the Columbia River Gorge it may be found between the elevations of 400'-2800' between the White Salmon River and Chenoweth Creek.

The photo above shows a view down onto the upper surface of the umbel of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen from the Klickitat River canyon.................April 13, 2007. Note that the branches of the umbell are different lengths.

The photo above shows a another view of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen at left from the grounds of The Dalles Discovery Center (where it was planted), The Dalles, Oregon...........April 5, 2016. The photo at right shows Suksdorf's desert parsley emeging from the ground on the east rim of Canyon Creek, Klickitat Wildlife Area......March 31, 2019.

Suksdorf's desert parsley blooming on on slopes above the Klickitat River at the Margerum Ranch, a Columbia Land Trust property, Klickitat County, WA.........April 24, 2015.

Note the long, thin bracts under the smaller umbels of Suksdorf's desert parsley.

Suksdorf's desert parsley at center left and center foreground as seen on slopes near the Klickitat River..........May 8, 2009. A number of plants of pungent desert parsley (Lomatium grayi) can also be seen. Suksdorf's desert parsley is also often seen with Columbia desert parsley (Lomatium columbiana).

A close-up of the leaf of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen on slopes near the Klickitat River..........May 8, 2009.

A close-up of the underside of an umbellet of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen on slopes near the Klickitat River...........May 8, 2009. Note the long, narrow bracts which are longer on one side of the umbellet than the other.

A close-up of the fruit of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen on the slopes above the east bank of the Klickitat River in the Klickitat State Wildlife Area.........June 28, 2009.

Fruits of Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen on slopes above Canyon Creek in the Klickitat Wildlife Area.........October 29, 2017.

Suksdorf's desert parsley with still green fruits observed on scablands near the east rim of Canyon Creek, Klickitat Wildlife Area.....July 3, 2022. The Suksdorf's desert parsley at left is surrounded by butterfly-loving desert parsley (Lomatium klickitatense).

Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen from the Klickitat River canyon........April 13, 2007.

Suksdorf's desert parsley as seen near the Columbia River in Klickitat County, Washington............May 2, 2013.

The first leaves of suksdorf's desert parsley coming up on a warm southwest facing slope at the Klickitat Breaks, Klickitat Wildlife Area..........February 26, 2015.