Wild Parsnip - Pastinaca sativa

Wild Parsnip – Pastinaca sativa

Apiaceae (Carrot family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life Cycle

Biennial/Perennial

Leaves

Leaves emerge and form a rosette. They are compound and branched with cleft lobes and coarsely toothed margins. The lower leaves on the plant have longer petioles while the upper leaves have very short or no petioles.

Stems

Stems will develop from the rosette in the second year of growth. They are grooved and hollow except at the nodes. Leaves along the stem are alternate.

Flowers and fruit

Small yellow 5 petal flowers are arranged in a compound flat-topped umbrel. Parsnip flowers from late spring to mid-summer. Each flower will be replaced by a schizocarp containing a single seed. The seeds are round to oval, flat and slightly ribbed with narrow wings.

Reproduction

Seeds that can remain viable in the soil for several years.

Toxicity

This plant produces sap in its leaves, stems, flowers, and fruit that causes photodermatitis, a severe skin reaction. Exposed skin will become sensitive to sunlight and may result in severe blistering, rash, localized burning, and discoloration. This type of reaction occurs only by contact with the sap. If skin exposure occurs wash immediately with soap and water and keep covered out of direct sunlight.

 

parsnip11
Wild parsnip leaf
wild parsnip Aug2020 EmmetCo ECH (3)
Wild parsnip leaf

 

wild parsnip Aug2020 EmmetCo ECH (8)
Wild parsnip stem

 

 

parsnip3
Wild parsnip flower

 

 

wild parsnip Aug2020 EmmetCo ECH (4)
Wild parsnip flower
wild parsnip Aug2020 EmmetCo ECH (5)
Wild parsnip seed
wild parsnip Aug2020 EmmetCo ECH (6)
Wild parsnip seed

 

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.