Pseudocymopterus montanus

(A. Gray) J. M. Coult. & Rose

Alpine false spring parsley

ApiaceaeLeavesRoots
Pseudocymopterus montanus
iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Sara Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Pseudocymopterus montanus
iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Sara Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Pseudocymopterus montanus
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Wendy Graves, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Root

The leaves are boiled with cornmeal. The roots are ground and cooked with meat.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

North America, USA,

Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, St Vincent

How to Identify

A temperate herb in the Apiaceae family with edible leaves and roots.

Medicinal Uses

This plant has many uses in Native American medicine. The Zuni use an infusion of the root for body aches. The root is also chewed during curing ceremonies for various illnesses, and the crushed root and water used as wash and taken for sore throat. The Rarámuri also use the root as herbal medicine. Ligusticum porteri was occasionally used in very large amounts as by Spanish New Mexicans as an abortifacient or emmenagogue. However, researchers George A. Conway and John C. Slocumb were unable to locate any person who reported successful use of this plant for this purpose. The American Herbal Products Association Safety & Labeling Guidelines Subcommittee recommended in 1997 that it should be labeled as not to be used during pregnancy.

Names & Synonyms
Ligusticum montanum (A. Gray) Benth. & Hook. f.Thaspium montanum A. Gray
References (1)
  • Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 448

More from Apiaceae