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].

Edible Uses: Stem and young shoots - raw or cooked[5, 7, 9, 17]. Used as a green vegetable, when harvested just as they are sprouting from the ground they are somewhat like asparagus in flavour[183]. The rind is somewhat acrid[115]. The leaf stems are tied in bundles and dried in the sun until they turn yellow[238]. A sweet substance resembling sugar forms on the dried stems and is considered to be a great delicacy[2, 115, 183, 238]. The peduncles, before flowering, can be eaten as a vegetable or added to soups[183]. Root - cooked. It is usually boiled[7].

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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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