Cow Parsnip

Cow parsnip is a large, perennial herb, reaching over 2 meters in height. The thick, grooved stems are hollow and hairy with celery-like fibers. The large leaves, up to 40 cm wide, are divided into serrated, jagged lobes. The leaves grow from the kinked joints of the stem. The many tiny, white flowers form huge flat umbels, or clusters — each of which is about 20 centimeters across. The seeds are about 8–12 mm long and 5–8 mm wide.

Basic Information

• Member of the Apiaceae, carrot, family

• Perennial herb

Habitat

• Native to the United States from southern California to Georgia north to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands

  • Occurs occurs primarily in the northern half of California

  • Can be weedy in part of its range

• Found growing in moist, shaded areas such as meadows, open woods, and riparian areas

Ecological Role

• Important in the diets of numerous wild animals, especially grizzly and black bears

• Attracts birds

• Larval host to the Anise swallowtail butterfly

Reproduction

• Blooms from February to September

Alternative Names

• American cow-parsnip, Indian celery, Indian rhubarb, pushki

Historical Uses

• Indigenous North Americans, both Native Americans and First Nations peoples, had a variety of uses for the cow parsnip:

  • The young stems, leafstalks, and flower stems were peeled and usually eaten raw like celery, which resulted in the common name ‘Indian celery’

    • Early American settlers cooked the stalks

    • If the outer skin is not removed, you will get an "itchy mouth" or blistering skin

  • The root was also boiled and eaten

  • Ingredient in poultices applied to bruises and sores

  • A poultice of the roots was applied to swellings, especially of the feet, and for rheumatism

  • The dried stems were made into drinking straws for the old or infirm, flutes for children, and whistles

  • An infusion of the flowers was rubbed on the body to repel flies and mosquitoes

  • A yellow dye could be made from the roots

  • Also used ceremonially

• Because the plant was so useful, some indigenous people traveled long distances in the spring — 80 kilometers (50 miles) or more — to find the shoots

Additional Information

• Largest species of the carrot family in North America

• The genus Heraculeum is named for Hercules, who reputedly used these plants for medicine

• The sap, when dried on the skin, causes painful blistering and burning because of the photo-reactive chemical furanocoumarin

• Valuable grazing plant for cows, sheep, and goats