Scientific Family
Apiaceae
Synonyms
Caucalis microcarpa
Other common names
false hedge-parsley
falsecarrot
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Spermolepis echinata
Height
To 16 inches
Riparian
No
Hairy annual, stems erect and branching; leaves alternate, on stems, pinnately divided, segments narrow to thread-like; flowers white, small, slightly bilateral in leaf axils and terminal rounded clusters (umbels) that have 2 to 5 leaf-like bracts.
Stems long; leaves few, delicate, divided into narrow to thread-like divisions; flowers white in leafy compound, sometimes simple umbels (rounded clusters of flower stalks arise from a common center), stalks point upward; seeds have hooked bristles.
Habitat
Grassy slopes, amid chaparral and woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
0
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers in axillary and terminal compound umbels (flower stems radiate from central point), occasionally simple umbels, umbels have 4 to 5 leaf-like bracts; secondary umbels with 1 to 5 leaf-like bractlets; flowers small, rounded petals, narrowed tips.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Alternate, on stems, pinnately (compound leaf with leaflets along a central stem) divided, blade to 2-1/2 inches long, oblong to ovate in outline, divisions narrow to thread-like; on >2-1/2 inch stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Bright green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule splitting into 2 single seeded chambers.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds have hooked bristles.