Pastinaca sativa
Parsnip
a biennial member of the Pastinaca genus in the family Umbelliferae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Pastinaca
- Life cycle
- biennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.25 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects
- 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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Skin contact with the sap can cause photosensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[17][18][9]. Parsnip is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[9].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked[5][13][15][19][11][4]. When well grown, the cooked root has a very tender texture, though it is rather chewy raw[K]. It is best harvested after there have been some autumn frosts because it will have developed a sweeter flavour[16]. The root is delicious baked, it can also be used in soups etc and can be added to cakes, pies and puddings[4]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked with other greens as a vegetable or added to soups etc[19][4]. Used in early spring[19]. The seed is used as a condiment[19]. Similar in taste to dill[4].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Seed
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of women's complaints[10]. A poultice of the roots has been applied to inflammations and sores[10]. The root contains xanthotoxin, which is used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo[10]. Xanthotoxin is the substance that causes photosensitivity (see note above on toxicity)[10].
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Women's complaints
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and roots are used to make an insect spray[6]. Roughly chop the leaves and roots, put them in a basin with enough water to cover, leave them overnight then strain and use as an insecticide against aphids and red spider mite[8].
- Product or use
- Insecticide
- Product or use
- Repellent
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, the Caucasus and Altai.
- Habitat
- Roadsides and grassy waste places, especially on chalk and limestone[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most ordinary well-drained soils[2]. Requires an open situation[12]. Prefers a deep rich soil that is not too stiff[1]. The parsnip is often cultivated in the temperate zone for its edible root, there are a number of named varieties[14][4][7]. Normally cultivated as a winter root crop, some cultivars are faster to mature and can be available in late summer[7]. The roots are very frost hardy and can be left in the ground to be harvested as required, though they can also be lifted in the autumn and stored for a few months[7]. The flowers are very attractive to hover flies and predatory wasps[8]. Plants have very few insect pests, though they are sometimes attacked by carrot root fly[8]. Growing onions with the parsnips can reduce the damage[8]. Roots of the wild form can quite quickly be increased in size by selective breeding and good cultivation, it is possible to obtain good sized roots in only 6 years.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2