Cymopterus terebinthinus

Cymopterus terebinthinus is a perennial plant in the carrot family Apiaceae with leaves that look like parsley and grows in the Great Basin of the American West.[1] Common names include Aromatic spring-parsley, northern Indian parsnip, and turpentine cymopterus.

Cymopterus terebinthinus

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Cymopterus
Species:
C. terebinthinus
Binomial name
Cymopterus terebinthinus

Name

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Cymopterus means "wavy wing", referring to the fruit. Terebinthinus ('of turpentine') refers to the pungent smell of the plant's oil.[1]

Description

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Growth pattern

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It is a low growing perennial plant from 12 to 2 feet (0.15 to 0.61 m) tall, spreading out from a woody base.[1]

Leaves and stems

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Leaves are 12 to 8 inches (1.3 to 20.3 cm) long.[1] Leaves are ovate overall, but finely pinnately dissected into segments like parsley leaves.[1] Leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed.[1] "Terebinthus" means "like-turpentine", referring to the scented oils in the plant.[1]

 
C. terebinthinus double-umbel flowerhead

Inflorescence and fruit

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The inflorescence is a peduncle with 3-24 rays, each 12 to 3 inches (1.3 to 7.6 cm) long, bearing minuscule 5-petaled yellow flowers.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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It grows on dry, sandy or rocky slopes, typically around rocks, from 5,000 to 9,000 feet (1,500 to 2,700 m) in sagebrush steppe and montane plant communities of the Great Basin.[1] It can be found in the Toiyabe Range and Deep Creek Mountains.[1]

Ecology

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It is a host for Papilio indra.[2]

Some Plateau Indian tribes chewed the roots to treat colds and sores.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Blackwell, Laird R. (2006). Great Basin Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Oregon (A Falcon Guide) (1st ed.). Guilford, Conn.: Morris Book Publishing, LLC. p. 108. ISBN 0-7627-3805-7. OCLC 61461560.
  2. ^ Tips on Collecting and Rearing Immatures of 375 Butterfly and Skipper Taxa (pdf), The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Society, 2-1-2010.
  3. ^ Hunn, Eugene S. (1990). Nch'i-Wana, "The Big River": Mid-Columbia Indians and Their Land. University of Washington Press. p. 353. ISBN 0-295-97119-3.