Parsnip – Cow
Heracleum maximum
| Family | Carrot (Apiaceae) |
|---|---|
| Bloom | Spring, summer |
| Habitat | Moist deciduous forest |
| Status | Native |
| Cycle | Perennial |
| Height | 4-9′ |
| Flower | Flowers form large flat clusters of white flowers 4-8″ wide. Individual flowers are about 1/2″ wide and have notched petals and are often larger toward the outside edges of the clusters. |
| Leaf | Leaves are extremely large – up to 12-18″ wide and are divided into 3 maple-leaf-like segments, each coarsely toothed and not connected to each other. Leaves are hairy on the underside. |
| Notes | The stem is ridged and hollow and can be up to 2″ in diameter. When the plant is bruised or cut, it emits a very rancorous odor. Look for the large inflated leafstalk near the stem. |
Photos
