Mountain Plants of the Western Cascades

Carolyn,

That’s another pair that often gets confused. While the shape is similar, the leaves of Lomatium martindalei are glaucous and dull. Those of Sanicula graveolens are greener and somewhat shiny. One sniff of the strong cilantro-like odor of the Sanicula easily separates the two. In bloom, Sanicula graveolens has large leafy bracts under the umbels, The main umbels of Lomatium martindalei are bractless although there are tiny bracts under the smaller involucels. I think some of the confusion comes from the photograph on Plate 63 in the classic Wildflowers of the Western Cascades. Although labeled Lomatium martindalei, the photo actually shows Sanicula graveolens—the large flower bracts are clearly visible. Many of us learned much of what we know from that valuable book, but even the best book has a mistake or two.