Perideridia gairdneri, commonly known as Gardner’s yampah or common yampah, is a perennial herb that thrives in moist meadows, grasslands, and open forest clearings in western North America, ranging from southwestern Canada through California to New Mexico. It typically grows up to 3 feet tall, emerging from cylindrical tubers. This plant features slender, erect stems and finely divided, feathery leaves that give it a delicate appearance. From mid-summer to early fall, Gardner’s yampah produces compound umbels of small, showy white flowers that attract pollinators.

Gardner’s yampah is valued for its historical culinary use and its potential for modern foraging, as its tubers are edible and were a staple food for many Native American tribes, who prepared them similarly to potatoes. In cultivation, it can serve as an attractive addition to native plant gardens and restoration projects due to its low maintenance and adaptability to various soil conditions. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires moist, well-drained soils. While it is not commonly found in the horticultural trade, it can be a conversation starter due to its historical significance and resemblance to the toxic water hemlock, which necessitates careful identification.CC BY-SA 4.0