Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Cow
Parsnip (Common Cowparsnip)
Heracleum maximum
[C-value
5]
Carrot family (Apiaceae)
Blooms
mid-May
-
June
The native Cow Parsnip is uncommon in our area. It prefer full to partial sun in moist to wet areas. Habitats include moist woodland openings and stream and river edges. It is a large plant that grows from 3-10 feet tall. Leaves are 12"-18" and rough and hairy. Leaves are divided into 3 segments, with coarsely toothed leaflets and a broad wing at the base of each leaf stalk. Stems are rough, hairy, hollow and grooved. It has white or cream colored flowers with 5 petals of different sizes and are arranged in broad, flat-topped clusters at the top of short stalks. See note below about its sap containing a phototoxin.
Cow Parsnip along Fox River May 31, 2013
Cow Parsnip along Fox River May 31, 2013
Caution: Some people are sensitive to the plant and soon develop a rash if their skin contacts the leaves or plant sap in the presence of sunlight. Its sap contains a phototoxin that reacts with ultraviolet light to cause skin irritation ranging from a mild rash to severe blistering.
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.