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. Common names include Aromatic spring-parsley, northern Indian parsnip, and turpentine cymopterus.

Name

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

Description

Growth pattern

It is a low growing perennial plant from 1/2 to 2 ft tall, spreading out from a woody base.

Leaves and stems

Leaves are 1/2 to 8 in long. Leaves are ovate overall, but finely pinnately dissected into segments like parsley leaves. Leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed. "Terebinthus" means "like-turpentine", referring to the scented oils in the plant.

Inflorescence and fruit

The inflorescence is a peduncle with 3-24 rays, each 1/2 to 3 in long, bearing minuscule 5-petaled yellow flowers.

Distribution and habitat

It grows on dry, sandy or rocky slopes, typically around rocks, from 5000 to 9000 ft in sagebrush steppe and montane plant communities of the Great Basin. It can be found in the Toiyabe Range and Deep Creek Mountains.

Ecology

It is a host for Papilio indra. Some Plateau Indian tribes chewed the roots to treat colds and sores.