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Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Elaphoboscum sativum
Phonetic Spelling
pas-TIN-ih-kah sa-TEE-vah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Wild parsnip is a biennial cool-season vegetable in the carrot (Apiaceae) family and is native to Eurasia. It can be found growing in open habitats such as prairies, savannas, fens and along roadsides. It has become a nuisance plant in parts of the USA. All parts of this plant contain furocoumarins which can make skin sensitive to light causing burns so be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves and long pants when dealing with it. Modern cultivars have been derived from this plant and are grown as annuals.

The leaves are in a rosette the first year and are large and compound. In the second year, wild parsnip sends up a tall stem with clusters of yellow flowers, produces seeds and then dies. The plant is adaptive to a wide range of conditions but does need sun. Only the tap root from the first year is edible

Control is by removing flower and seed heads to prevent reseeding and herbicides are effective on the basal rosettes.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can be weedy and has the potential to be invasive. Poisonous and causes severe dermatitis. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#biennial#yellow flowers#high maintenance#edible roots#cool season vegetable#contact dermatitis#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#biennial#yellow flowers#high maintenance#edible roots#cool season vegetable#contact dermatitis#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pastinaca
    Species:
    sativa
    Family:
    Apiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Distribution:
    Throughout
    Wildlife Value:
    The nectar attracts flies, wasps, beetles, and ants.
    Edibility:
    The fleshy sweet taproot from first-year plants is edible, either raw or baked, boiled, pureed, roasted, fried, grilled, or steamed. It can be used in soups and stews.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is elongated and dry with a single winged seed that is dispersed by the wind
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Compound umbrels are 3-8 inch across and consist of tiny yellow flowers with 5 curled petals and 5 yellow stamens around a greenish-yellow center. Blooms laste spring to early summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The large alternate compound leaves are in a basal rosette the first year and are single pinnate. They can be up to 18 inches long and 6 inches wide with long stems. They consist of 9 leaflets that are 3 inches long and 2 inches across. Leaflets can have margins with cleft lobes and coarse teeth. The upper compound leaves that appear in the second year are smaller with shorter stems. Leaflets are ovate or elliptic and 3 inches long by 2 inches wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Tall green hollow stems are glabrous, angular, and furrowed
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Causes skin to become light sensitive, leading to severe burns and blisters. Wear protective equipment when dealing with this plant
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Furanocoumarin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems