If you are where cilantro is native, then cilantro is a native plant that smells like cilantro . . . more clarification needed! Can you add a photo of the plant? Edit: looked up; seems Cilantro is Spanish for Coriander Coriandrum sativum, which is native to the Mediterranean region, but not where you are. A photo of your plant would definitely help!
Thanks for the suggestions. Strangely enough, I have not been able to even identify from which plant the smell comes. I've checked several plants as I've hiked along but can't find it. I've caught whiffs of it in various chaparral locations in the San Francisco Bay area and the coast range south of Monterey. Next time I'm out, I'll check out anything that is carrot-like. Hmm, just had a thought - could it be hemlock? We have lots of that around. I've never noticed it's smell - usually just try to avoid it. Thanks again for the help.
Hemlock is certainly quite strong-smelling, but I'd not have said it was the same smell as Coriander. But try giving some a sniff. Hemlock is only poisonous if you eat it, handling it won't do you any harm.
Hiker Jo I believe it could be purple mustard - chorispora tenella-? I used to smell it as a wildflower in Colorado.
After several years if trying to identify this cilantro-smelling plant, I think I've got it! While setting up my tent the other night in the Tahoe National Forest (near Donor Summit), I got that distinct cilantro smell. I checked all the vegetation underfoot and came up with a thin stemmed, tiny leafed plant with yellow flowers. I took several pix of it and used the app PlantNet to try to ID it. I believe it is Sanicula tuberosa, common name Turkey pea. It is in the family Apiaceae (CARROT) – the same family that cilantro is in!
