Cymopterus purpurescens
Widewing Springparsley
a perennial member of the Cymopterus genus in the family Umbelliferae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Cymopterus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - cooked. Sweeter than a parsnip[1].
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - California to Idaho, Utah and Arizona.
- Habitat
- Rocky limestone hills, 1300 - 2100 metres in California[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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 could outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. We suggest growing it in a sunny position in a well-drained light or medium soil[K].
References
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00