Montane, subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 26, 2004.

Love Root is very common in the San Juans and other Four Corners mountains and often grows in masses covering acres under Aspens and in meadows.  Leaves arch upward to two or three feet and are followed by three-to-six foot flower stalk.

Being a common plant sometimes means that you will have many common names; this certainly is true of Ligusticum porteri.  It is called Loveroot, Lovage, Porter’s Lovage, Porter’s Ligusticum, Osha, Chuchupate, Licorice Root, and Wild Parsley.  "Ligusticum" is Latin, and probably means "from the Liguria region of Italy", where a related plant, Lovage, Levisticum officinale, grows in profusion and is widely used as a herb.

Thomas C. Porter, 1822-1901, was a Professor of Botany and a Colorado flora collector who collected this lovely plant along the headwaters of the Platte in 1873.  In 1870 he published the first Synopsis of the Flora of Colorado with John Coulter.  (More biographical information.)

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, June 25, 2005.

Shades of green are common on Loveroot leaves.

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 17, 2004.

Flower heads fully open bright white, but they begin in shades of greens and rosy purples.

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Stoner Mesa Trail, June 23, 2005.

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Horse Creek Trail, August 31, 2005.

Gone to seed.

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Colorado Trail above Roaring Fork, August 7, 2004.

In the fall, Loveroot turns meadows and forest floors golden.