SafePlants

Plains Spring Parsley: *Cymopterus acaulis*

Plains spring parsley, scientifically known as *Cymopterus acaulis*, also goes by the common names plains wavewing and stemless spring-parsley.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is related to parsley and other members of the carrot family, Apiaceae.

Considerations for Children

• This plant is related to parsley and other members of the carrot family, Apiaceae.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: *Cymopterus*
• Species: *acaulis*
• Subspecies: Not explicitly specified, but the text mentions *Cymopterus acaulis* var. *acaulis*.
• Family (Scientific): Apiaceae (also known as Umbelliferae)
• Family (Common): Carrot or Parsley
• Synonyms: *Cymopterus glomeratus* is mentioned as a synonym.
• Alternative Scientific Names: C. acaulis Raf. is mentioned.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found on plains and mountain meadows.
• Typically grows at elevations up to 7500 feet.
• Specific locations mentioned include Scott County, Kansas; Almont Triangle, Gunnison Valley, Colorado; Petrified Forest National Park; and Wyoming.
• Favors dry, gravelly slopes.
• Also found in sandy or stony places.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is a perennial plant.
• Reaches a height of 4-8 inches.
• One of the earliest blooming flowers in spring.
• Leaves are described as plain, flat, deeply cut, and dark green.

Ecological Role

• Cattle may eat plains larkspurs at any stage of growth and plains spring parsley is mentioned in proximity to this.

Quirky Facts

• It is one of the earliest blooming flowers.
• It is known as an aromatic plant.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions.
• Wyoming Natural Diversity Database.
• Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.