Flowers are in loose compound umbels with 2 to 6 lance-shaped bractlets. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 1-28-12. © Peter J. Bryant

California Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza brachypoda 

A 1-3 ft. tall finely hairy perennial herb,"frequent in understory of oak woodland, coulter pine forest, grassy openings in chaparral and along montane streams; Santa Ana Mountains" (Roberts). The thick roots are clustered and licorice-scented. (JM2).

This is the only known host plant for the California endemic moth Greya suffusca, known only from near Sequoia National Park.

Native to California and Arizona,

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Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Maple Springs Rd., Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 3-24-12. © Joan Avise.

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA.
1-28-12. © Peter J. Bryant

There are 5 pale yellowish-green petals, no calyx, 5 stamens, inferior 2-chambered ovary with 2 free styles. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 1-28-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Maple Springs Rd., Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 3-24-12. © Joan Avise.

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Fruit spindle-shaped, 1/2 to 3/4 in. long, with prominent bristly ribs which aid in dispersal.  Fruit splits into two 1-seeded closed segments that split apart at maturity (schizocarp).  Maple Springs Rd., Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 3-24-12. © Joan Avise.

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Lost Woman Cyn., 4-24-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Lost Woman Cyn., 4-24-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

The leaves are 3-pinnate, deltoid, 3 to 10 in. long.  Leaflets are ovate, 3/4 to 2 in. long, serrate (saw-toothed) to pinnately lobed.  Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 1-28-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Bear Cyn. Tr. to 4 Corners, etc., 3-26-15. © Ron Vanderhoff.