trefle.io · Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Charlotte Treschow (cc-by-sa)
Apiaceae
Wild parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Also known as Poison parsnip, Meadow parsnip, Field parsnip, Anethum pastinaca
Edibles & Herbs · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Wild Parsnip · Umbellifer · Pollinator Plant · Wildflower · Biennial · Phototoxic · Caution · Yellow Flowers · Wildlife Garden · Meadow
Wild parsnip is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial that grows vigorously in well-drained soils with full to partial sun. Note that its sap can cause severe phototoxic skin burns when exposed to sunlight, so always wear gloves and protective clothing when handling this plant. It is best suited to naturalistic or wildlife gardens where its yellow umbel flowers attract a wide range of pollinators.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–7
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Algeria, Altay, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, California
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
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