Heracleum sphondylium Cow parsnip (Umbelliferae)

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Heracleum sphondylium
Cow parsnip
(1 Page of 5)

The Heracleum sphondylium plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Umbelliferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Cow parsnip.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Heracleum sphondylium
Common Name:  Cow parsnip
Family:  Umbelliferae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Many members of this genus, including many of the sub-species in this species[65], contain furanocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties. See below for more details.

Mature Height:  1.8   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Moist grassland and ditches, by hedges and in woods[7, 17].

Cultivation Notes: A very easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil[1, 238], doing best in moist soils or deep woodland[1]. Grows well in full sun or partial shade[238]. This species contains a large number of sub-species. Some, but by no means all of them, can cause various problems as detailed at the top of this record. Subspecies transylvanicum, pyrenaicum, montanum, orsinii and alpinum are distinctly phototoxic, subspecies sphondylium and sibiricum are not phototoxic whilst subspecies granatense and ternatum vary in their toxicity[65]. A good bee plant[108].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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