View photos of the edible plant Cymopterus multinervatus (Purplenerve springparsley), profiled in Wild Edible Plants of Arizona and Wild Edible Plants of New Mexico.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:

Cymopterus multinervatus, the commonest species, is found nearly state–wide. Look for Springparsley on mountain foothills – typically in association with grassland/scrub vegetation.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of New Mexico:

The roots of Springparsley are its main edible part. Taking on a storage/tap root orientation, they reach depths of 1’–2’ (the dry and rocky soils in which they are found makes for difficult digging). Parsnip–like, mild, and not too fibrous, they are fine eaten raw, or more so, if first cooked.