Heracleum sphondylium montanum - Cow Parsnip

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2.4
Synonyms:	H. cordatum. H. lanatum. Michx. H. maximum.
Range:	N. America to W. Asia.

Heracleum sphondylium montanum (Cow Parsnip) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2.4m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Cow Parsnip will flower in January. the seeds ripen from February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Cow Parsnip will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Cow Parsnip prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Cow Parsnip can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Rich damp soils of prairies and mountains, especially along streams and in open woods in Western N. America[212].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil, doing best in moist soils or deep woodland[1, 55, 60].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Root - cooked[2, 46, 85, 94]. Tastes like a swede[155, 183]. Used like potatoes, though it is considered to be poisonous by some writers[213]. The peeled stem can be eaten raw but is best cooked[2, 61, 183]. The unpeeled stem can be used when young, or just the inner tissue of older stems can be used, before the plants flower[85, 94]. For people not used to the flavour, they are best cooked in two changes of water when they make a tasty celery-like vegetable[213]. 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[256]. The stems cannot be eaten raw in large quantities because they give a burning sensation in the mouth[257]. The stems are highly nutritious, containing up to 18% protein[213]. Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[55, 85, 94, 118]. Cooked as greens or added to salads[183]. Young flowers[46, 61, 105]. No further details. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring for soups, stews and potato salads[85, 183]. The dried base of the plant and ashes from the burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute[183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Salt - plants that provide a substitute for salt.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
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[257]. 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[21, 94, 155, 172, 257]. The leaves are tonic[257]. They have been used in the treatment of colds[257]. A soothing drink made from the leaves is used to treat sore throats[257]. A poultice of the heated leaves has been applied to minor cuts, sore muscles etc[257]. An infusion of the fresh young stems has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. It has also been used as a wash to remove warts[257]. The plant has been used in the treatment of epilepsy[213]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of indigestion, colds, stomach cramps, rheumatism, sore throats, TB etc[222, 257]. 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[222, 257]. The root can be crushed, mixed with water and used as an antidandruff hair wash[257]. The root contains psoralen, which is being investigated for its use in the treatment of psoriasis, leukaemia and AIDS[222]. The seed has been used to treat severe headaches[257].

• Antidandruff - Treats dandruff.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Odontalgic - Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
• TB - Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

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

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus, including this species[65], contain furanocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties. The fresh foliage can cause dermatitis[21]. If the juice and hairs of the outer skin are left on the face and mouth, they can cause blisters[212]. This effect is especially prevalent for people with fair complexions[256].

Other Uses

Whistles, flutes, straws etc can be made from the hollow stems[99, 257]. The leaves are used as a covering for baskets of fruit etc[99]. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[257]. An infusion of the blossoms, rubbed on the body, repels flies and mosquitoes[257].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Musical - Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.
• Packing - Used as a filler in boxes etc in order to protect the contents.
• Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
• Straw - For drinking with.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

A California Flora.
Munz.
Author: Munz.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1959

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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