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.
Cymopterus means "wavy wing", referring to the fruit. Terebinthinus ('of turpentine') refers to the pungent smell of the plant's oil.[1]
It is a low growing perennial plant from NaNfeetto2feetft (toft) tall, spreading out from a woody base.[1]
Leaves are NaNinchesto8inchesin (toin) long.[1] Leaves are ovate overall, but finely pinnately dissected into segments like parsley leaves.[1] Leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed.[1] "Terebinthus" means "like-turpentine", referring to the scented oils in the plant.[1]
The inflorescence is a peduncle with 3-24 rays, each NaNinchesto3inchesin (toin) long, bearing minuscule 5-petaled yellow flowers.[1]
It grows on dry, sandy or rocky slopes, typically around rocks, from 5000feetto9000feetft (toft) in sagebrush steppe and montane plant communities of the Great Basin.[1] It can be found in the Toiyabe Range and Deep Creek Mountains.[1]
It is a host for Papilio indra.[2]
Some Plateau Indian tribes chewed the roots to treat colds and sores.[3]