Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Meadow Parsnip
(Purple Meadowparsnip)
Thaspium trifoliatum
var. flavum
[C-value
7]
Family (Apiaceae)
Blooms mid-May - June
The native Meadow Parsnip is rare in our area. It prefers full sun to light shade, medium moisture, and grows in practically any soil. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, woodland borders, prairies, and roadsides. This perenniall is 1-3' tall and branching with alternate compound trifoliate leaves with lance-shaped leaflets 1-2" long. The few basal leaves are 1-4" long and oval-shaped on petioles 1-4" long. The upper stems terminate in rounded compound umbels of flowers 1-3" across with 6-12 floral stalks terminating in small umbellets of flowers. Each umbellet has 5-12 short floral stalks terminating in individual flowers only 1/8" across with 5 tiny yellow petals.
Meadow Parsnip at Baker Woods Forest Preserve June 6, 2014
Meadow Parsnip has two variations - Yellow and Purple. This is obviously the Yellow (var. flavum).
Meadow Parsnip foliage at Baker Woods Forest Preserve June 6, 2014
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