This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Pastinaca sativa
  • Parsnip

a biennial member of the Pastinaca genus in the family Umbelliferae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Pastinaca sativa has 0 edible uses listed
Pastinaca sativa has 0 material uses listed
Pastinaca sativa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Skin contact with the sap can cause photosensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[1][2][3]. Parsnip is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[3].

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked[4][5][6][7][8][9]. 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[10]. The root is delicious baked, it can also be used in soups etc and can be added to cakes, pies and puddings[9].

Leaves and young shoots - cooked with other greens as a vegetable or added to soups etc[7][9]. Used in early spring[7].

The seed is used as a condiment[7]. Similar in taste to dill[9].

Unknown part

Condiment

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves and roots are used to make an insect spray[11]. 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[12].

Unknown part

Insecticide
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of women's complaints[13]. A poultice of the roots has been applied to inflammations and sores[13]. The root contains xanthotoxin, which is used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo[13]. Xanthotoxin is the substance that causes photosensitivity (see note above on toxicity)[13].

Unknown part

Poultice
Women's complaints

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow from late winter to late spring in situ. Seed can be slow to germinate, especially from the earlier sowings[14], it is best to mark the rows by sowing a few radishes with the parsnips. The seed has a short viability, very few will still be viable 15 months after harvesting[14].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pastinaca sativa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most ordinary well-drained soils[15]. Requires an open situation[16]. Prefers a deep rich soil that is not too stiff[17].

The parsnip is often cultivated in the temperate zone for its edible root, there are a number of named varieties[18][9][14]. Normally cultivated as a winter root crop, some cultivars are faster to mature and can be available in late summer[14]. 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[14]. The flowers are very attractive to hover flies and predatory wasps[12]. Plants have very few insect pests, though they are sometimes attacked by carrot root fly[12]. Growing onions with the parsnips can reduce the damage[12].

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.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pastinaca sativa. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Pastinaca sativa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pastinaca sativa
Genus
Pastinaca
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[13]
Material uses & Functions
[11][12]
Botanic
[19][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    biennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.25 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    15. ? Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    16. ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    19. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:PastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Pastinaca_sativa&oldid=79119"
    Facts about "Pastinaca sativa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusPastinaca +
    Has common nameParsnip +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves +, Root + and Seeds +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imagePastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeBiennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useInsecticide + and Repellent +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.25 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal usePoultice + and Women's complaints +
    Has primary imagePastinakePflanzegeerntet.jpg +
    Has search namepastinaca sativa + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePastinaca sativa +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +