Heracleum maximum W. Bartram - Cow Parsnip


 

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Heracleum maximum - (image 1 of 7)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Apiaceae

Habitat

Woodlands, shaded floodplains.

Associates

In disturbed woods with Acer saccharum, Crataegus mollis, Fraxinus ameicana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Prunus virginiana, Ribes missouriense, Sambucus canadensis, Ulmus americana, Vitis riparia.

Distribution

Most of the the US except the southern Midwest and parts of the southeast.

Morphology

Large, robust perennial to 10'. Leaves deeply 3-lobed or divided into 3 maple-like segments, with an inflated sheath at the base of the leaf stalk. Stems densely white, wooly hairy. Flowers white, petals notched, sometimes tinged purple, in robust umbels.

Notes

Flowers mid May to early July

Wetland indicator: Upland

Frequently seen along roadsides. Rubbing against this plant and exposing the area to sunlight is reported to cause phytophotodermatitis, as are many other members of the carrot family. The introduced Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is most often implicated in these type of reactions. I have personally worked for hours clearing brush from woods filled with Cow Parsnip and never developed phytophotodermatitis, although I have been severely burned by Wild Parsnip. Still, it is best to avoid sunlight and clean up after touching any of these plants to be safe.

Bibliography

Peterson, R. T. and M. McKenney. 1996. A Field Guide to Wildflowers:
Northeastern and North-Central North America.
Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston, MA

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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 Michael Hough © 2005