Indian springparsley (Cymopterus aboriginum) is a native perennial found in California and Nevada. This member of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae) grows on dry, rocky, mountain slopes between 4,000 and 9,300 feet.

Growing from a taproot, Indian springparsley has a basal patch of leaves that lie flat on the ground. The grey green leaves are highly divided and look lacy or even wrinkled.

A brownish peduncle (stem) supports an umbel of white flowers.

The seeds are oblong to ovate, flattened, ribbed and two-winged.

The genus name, Cymopterus, comes from Greek: “kuma” meaning wave and “pteron” meaning wing because some species in the genus have seeds with “wavy wings”. The species name refers to the fact that the plant is a native.

These Indian springparsley specimens were photographed in May at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (Washoe County NV) between Fish Springs and Gooch Springs on Road 8A.