Scientific Family
Apiaceae
Other common names
rattlesnake-weed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Height
2 to 4 feet
Riparian
Yes
Stem is slender and is either unbranched or has only one weak branch.
Unbranched or only has a single weak branch as compared to the introduced Daucus carota, which is sometimes heavily branched and more robust.
Habitat
Requires moist, well-drained soil and prefers sandy or rocky soils. Occurs in rocky prairies, openings in woodland, rocky open glades, and edges of bluff escarpments, sometimes along roadsides and railroads.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Disturbed Areas
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Riparian
Low elevation
0
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Tiny with 5 petals and lacy bracts below flower cluster umbel. Cluster is 2 inches wide. Upon maturity, the flower cluster closes to form a cup or bird's nest. Flower stalks are 1/8 to 2/5 inch long.
Flower color
Whitish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lacy lobed and fern-like to 3 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is ovoid to slightly over 1/8 inch long.
Fruit type
Other
Seeds have stiff bristles.