Have you ever admired the seemingly harmless wildflowers dotting the roadside, their yellow blooms swaying gently in the breeze? Beware, for beauty can be deceiving; you might be face-to-face with the wild parsnip, a plant whose innocent appearance belies a potent ability to inflict painful burns.
The wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a tall, imposing plant, often reaching heights of four feet or more, adorned with clusters of small, yellow flowers arranged in an umbrella-like shape. While its roots, reminiscent of its cultivated cousin, are indeed edible, it's the plant's sap that poses the real danger. This sap contains chemicals called furanocoumarins, substances that render the skin exceptionally vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to a condition known as phytophotodermatitis literally, plant-light-induced skin inflammation.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pastinaca sativa |
| Common Names | Wild Parsnip, Poison Parsnip |
| Family | Apiaceae (Carrot Family) |
| Origin | Native to Europe and Asia; introduced to North America |
| Life Cycle | Biennial (completes its life cycle in two years) |
| Habitat | Sunny, open areas: roadsides, pastures, fields, disturbed natural areas, prairies, fens |
| Identifying Features |
|
| Dangers | Sap contains furanocoumarins, causing phytophotodermatitis (severe skin burns upon exposure to sunlight) |
| Control Methods |
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| Additional Information | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Pastinaca sativa |
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