Lomatium observatorium

Lomatium observatorium is a rare species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common names Mt. Hamilton desertparsley^[1] and Mount Hamilton lomatium. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the mountains of Santa Clara County, including Mount Hamilton near the Lick Observatory.^[2] It may also occur in Stanislaus County.^[2] Its habitat includes mountain woodlands on volcanic and metamorphosed sedimentary rock substrates. Described The plant to science as a new species in 1996, the plant is a perennial herb growing low to the ground, the lightly hairy herbage growing from a long taproot.^[3]

Lomatium observatorium
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Lomatium
Species:	L. observatorium
Binomial name
Lomatium observatorium Constance & Ertter

The leaf blades are up to 12 centimeters long and are intricately divided into many subdivided lobes, the smallest segments linear or lance-shaped and pointed. The blades are borne on petioles a few centimeters in length. The inflorescence is an umbel of one or more clusters of tiny flowers borne on a peduncle, which is very short or elongated, up to 20 centimeters tall.