The Mathematical Mystery of Nine-Leaf Lomatium: Lewis and Clark’s Botanical Discovery
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 6, 1806
On this day in 1806, that intrepid duo of botanical explorers, Lewis and Clark, stumbled upon what would become known as the Nine-leaf lomatium (Lomatium triternatum) while traipsing along the banks of Idaho's Clearwater River. One can only imagine their excitement at discovering yet another curious specimen for their ever-expanding collection!
This particular member of the carrot family, known more colloquially as nine-leaf biscuitroot, earned its mathematical moniker through a rather delightful botanical equation: each leaf divides into three narrow leaflets, which then, not content with such simplicity, further divide into three more. The Latin name "triternatum" ("three times three") rather gives the game away, wouldn't you agree?
Our adventurous explorers, with their seemingly insatiable appetite for botanical novelties, collected numerous varieties of lomatiums during their expedition. These fascinating plants, like reclusive aristocrats unwilling to mingle with common folk east of the Mississippi, have established their exclusive territory solely in the western reaches of our continent.
While modern herbalists have eagerly embraced lomatiums as remedies for viral afflictions, one would be remiss not to mention their occasionally dramatic side effects.
In 2018, the National Institutes of Health documented the rather unfortunate case of a woman who, seeking relief from influenza, consumed lomatium extract—marketed under the name LDM-100—only to find herself adorned with a most spectacular and unwelcome rash covering her entire body for a full week!
The researchers, displaying that particular brand of medical humor that so often accompanies scientific publications, titled their article "Worse than the Disease? The Rash of Lomatium Dissectum." One can practically hear the wry chuckles echoing through the halls of academia.
For the curious gardener considering adding this historical plant to their collection, a word of caution: while its umbrella-like clusters of yellow flowers create a charming visual display from April through June, and its deep taproot demonstrates admirable drought resistance, perhaps consider admiring it from a distance rather than brewing it into your next medicinal tea. Unless, of course, you fancy explaining to your dinner guests why you've suddenly developed the complexion of a ripening strawberry.
The Nine-leaf lomatium stands as yet another testament to Lewis and Clark's botanical legacy—a legacy that continues to influence our gardens, our medicine cabinets, and occasionally, our dermatological nightmares to this very day.
