Practical
Plants

Heracleum sphondylium montanum

Cow Parsnip

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2.4 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Many members of this genus, including this species[19], contain furanocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties. The fresh foliage can cause dermatitis[9]. If the juice and hairs of the outer skin are left on the face and mouth, they can cause blisters[10]. This effect is especially prevalent for people with fair complexions[13].

Edible uses

Root - cooked[7][15][20][21]. Tastes like a swede[4][6]. Used like potatoes, though it is considered to be poisonous by some writers[11]. The peeled stem can be eaten raw but is best cooked[7][18][6]. The unpeeled stem can be used when young, or just the inner tissue of older stems can be used, before the plants flower[20][21]. For people not used to the flavour, they are best cooked in two changes of water when they make a tasty celery-like vegetable[11]. Another report says that, despite the strong odour of the leaves and outer skin, the peeled young stems are mild and sweet, resembling celery in flavour[13]. The stems cannot be eaten raw in large quantities because they give a burning sensation in the mouth[14]. The stems are highly nutritious, containing up to 18% protein[11]. Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[16][20][21][3]. Cooked as greens or added to salads[6]. Young flowers[15][18][2]. No further details. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring for soups, stews and potato salads[20][6]. The dried base of the plant and ashes from the burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute[6].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Product or use
Salt
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Cow parsnip was widely employed medicinally by a large number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a wide variety of complaints, but especially as a poultice on bruises, sores etc[14]. It is little used in modern herbalism, though perhaps it merits further investigation. All parts of the plant are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, carminative, febrifuge, odontalgic and stimulant[9][21][4][5][14]. The leaves are tonic[14]. They have been used in the treatment of colds[14]. A soothing drink made from the leaves is used to treat sore throats[14]. A poultice of the heated leaves has been applied to minor cuts, sore muscles etc[14]. An infusion of the fresh young stems has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[14]. It has also been used as a wash to remove warts[14]. The plant has been used in the treatment of epilepsy[11]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of indigestion, colds, stomach cramps, rheumatism, sore throats, TB etc[12][14]. Externally, the root is used as a poultice on sores, bruises, swellings, boils, rheumatic joints, VD scabs etc, whilst a bit of root has been held on an aching tooth to reduce the pain[12][14]. The root can be crushed, mixed with water and used as an antidandruff hair wash[14]. The root contains psoralen, which is being investigated for its use in the treatment of psoriasis, leukaemia and AIDS[12]. The seed has been used to treat severe headaches[14].

Product or use
Antidandruff
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

Whistles, flutes, straws etc can be made from the hollow stems[22][14]. The leaves are used as a covering for baskets of fruit etc[22]. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[14]. An infusion of the blossoms, rubbed on the body, repels flies and mosquitoes[14].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Musical
Product or use
Packing
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Straw

Environment

Range
N. America to W. Asia.
Habitat
Rich damp soils of prairies and mountains, especially along streams and in open woods in Western N. America[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring or early autumn in situ. Division in autumn.

Cultivation

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil, doing best in moist soils or deep woodland[1][16][17].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X

    ↩

  4. Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2

  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7748-0533-1

    ↩1↩2

  14. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16

  15. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  18. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  19. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  20. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  21. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  22. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩1↩2

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