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Meadow Parsnip Thaspium barbinode

Other plants called Meadow Parsnip:

Previously known as:

  • Thaspium chapmanii
Phonetic Spelling
THAS-pee-um bar-BIN-oh-dee
Description

The Hairy-Joint Meadow-Parsnip is a perennial wildflower in the Apiaceae (Carrot) family native to central and eastern USA and in most areas of NC, except the eastern counties. It is named from stiff hairs at the stem branches on most plants although they are not easy to see unless you know exactly where to look.  It is found in moist forested areas, and along streams and ponds and occasionally prairies in full sun to partial shade although shade will impact its growth and number of blooms. Bloom time is in spring to early summer with light yellow flowers occurring in clusters that attract many pollinators.

The compound leaves have parsley-like leaflets. It grows up to 6 feet tall and starts to decline after blooming. Large compound leaves are alternate and tend to be near the base of the plant. Leaflets have medium to large coarsely toothed edges and are 1-2 inches long and .5 - 1 inch across. A few smaller leaves occur up the stem, gradually reducing in size. Surfaces are minutely hairy, especially along the veins and around the edges.

The flowers are in flat-topped umbels (clusters) 2 to 3 inches wide, in 8 to 20 groups of up to 20 flowers each. Individual flowers are all stalked, about 1/8 inch across with 5 yellow petals that fold inward and 5 yellow stamens.

The fruit displays from July to August.  Oblong seeds are 1/4 in. long and ripen to dark brown.  Seeds typically are not widely dispersed. When the dead stems drop, it can be seen that most of the fruits remain attached to the plant.

The Hairy-Joint Meadow-Parsnip will tolerate dry to moist conditions but prefers moist soil.  It can be grown in sand, loam and slightly rocky soil of any pH.  It is used in naturalized areas, pollinator gardens, along streams and ponds and native gardens.

Quick ID:

  • Leaves look like Italian (flat leaf) parsley
  • There are stiff hairs at the stem branches
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Audubon#black swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Audubon#black swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Thaspium
    Species:
    barbinode
    Family:
    Apiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central North America
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) larvae which appear between April and October and have one to two flights in the north or three flights in the south. Adult Black Swallowtail butterflies feed on flower nectar from thistles, milkweed and red clover.
    Edibility:
    Not edible
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from July to August. Oblong seeds are 1/4 in. long and ripen to dark brown. Seeds typically are not widely dispersed. When the dead stems drop, it can be seen that most of the fruits remain attached to the plant.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from April to June. The flowers are in flat-topped umbels (clusters) 2 to 3 inches wide, in 8 to 20 groups of up to 20 flowers each. Individual flowers are all stalked, about 1/8 inch across with 5 yellow petals that fold inward and 5 yellow stamens. There is no noticeable scent.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Large compound leaves are alternate and tend to be near the base of the plant. 2-3 Leaflets have medium to large coarsely toothed edges and are 1-2 inches long and .5- 1 inch across. A few smaller leaves occur up the stem, gradually reduce in size. Surfaces are minutely hairy, especially along the veins and around the edges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Light green to reddish-purple stout stems with hairs at the stem branches. Otherwise smooth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds