California Licorice-root

Carried by 1 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

California Licorice-root, (Ligusticum californicum) is also known as California Lovage or California Wild Lovage. It is a perennial in the Apiaceae or carrot family, native to California and Oregon, found in chaparral and woodlands, often on serpentine. In spring the clear-white flowers appear in delicate umbels on slender stalks 2 to 4 feet high. The ferny, bright-green foliage stays close to the ground.

Plant overview

Plant type

Perennial herb

Natural setting

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Wildlife supported

Caterpillars

Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

See all

Anise Swallowtail

Papilio zelicaon

Alternative names

Common names:

California Licorice-root

Sources

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Additional references for this page:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. “Ligusticum apiifolium (Celeryleaf Licorice-root).” Native Plant Information Network, University of Texas at Austin, www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LICA. Accessed 2 May 2025.
California Flora Nursery. “Ligusticum apiifolium.” California Flora Nursery, www.calfloranursery.com/plants/ligusticum-apiifolium. Accessed 2 May 2025.