Cymopterus acaulis
(Pursh.)Raf.
Apiaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Plains Springparsley
General Information
Cymopterus acaulis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.10 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.
Known Hazards
Although no reports of toxicity have been seen, we have some reservations on this root, particularly as it gets old, because of its recorded use as an insecticide.
Botanical References
60- Title
- Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hitchcock. C. L.
- Publisher
- University of Washington Press
- Year
- 1955
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Range
Western N. America - north to Alberta.
Habitat
Dry flats and hillsides, on plains and in valleys[
60- Title
- Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hitchcock. C. L.
- Publisher
- University of Washington Press
- Year
- 1955
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.10 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Self-fertile | Yes |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
We have almost no information on the needs of this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should outdoors in many parts of the country. We suggest growing it in a sunny position in a well-drained light or medium soil[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Edible Uses
Root - raw or cooked[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. A pleasant taste[
161- Title
- Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yanovsky. E.
- Publisher
- U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
- Year
-
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.
]. The young roots in spring are the best, but roots can also be eaten at other times of the year[
85- Title
- Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Harrington. H. D.
- Publisher
- University of New Mexico Press
- Year
- 1967
- ISBN
- 0-8623-0343-9
- Description
- A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants.
]. Only the young roots should be used[
94- Title
- Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sweet. M.
- Publisher
- Naturegraph Co.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- 0-911010-54-8
- Description
- Useful wild plants in Western N. America. A pocket guide.
]. (Does this mean that the older roots can be harmful? See the notes above on toxicity)
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
85- Title
- Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Harrington. H. D.
- Publisher
- University of New Mexico Press
- Year
- 1967
- ISBN
- 0-8623-0343-9
- Description
- A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants.
,
94- Title
- Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sweet. M.
- Publisher
- Naturegraph Co.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- 0-911010-54-8
- Description
- Useful wild plants in Western N. America. A pocket guide.
,
161- Title
- Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yanovsky. E.
- Publisher
- U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
- Year
-
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The water from boiling up old roots is used as an insecticide[
94- Title
- Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sweet. M.
- Publisher
- Naturegraph Co.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- 0-911010-54-8
- Description
- Useful wild plants in Western N. America. A pocket guide.
].
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn might be possible.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
