Wild parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Biological Category
Plants
NY Legal Status
Not Regulated
Species Type
Terrestrial Plants
DESCRIPTION
Wild parsnip is a biennial herb that grows to 2-5 ft. Alternate, compound, branched leaves have serrated edges. First year rosettes have pinnately compound leaves. Adult plants bloom June through August with small, five-petaled, yellow flowers arranged in a flat-topped, broad umbel of 2-6″.
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An erect herbaceous plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae)
growing 4 or more feet in height. Seedlings emerge from February through April, form rosettes and grow vegetatively for one or more years before they form an aerial shoot (bolt) and flower. Rosettes bear upright leaves averaging 6 inches in height. Leaves are pinnately compound and leaflets are oval to oblong, hairless with saw-toothed edges and arranged in pairs along stalk. Hundreds of small yellow flowers are produced on each plant and bloom from June to mid-July. Large yellow seeds are round, flat and slightly ribbed. Plants die after producing seeds. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for four years. The root system is made up of a long thick yellow to white taproot.
Europe and Asia
Wild parsnip thrives in full sun and grows along roadsides, fields, fence rows and waste areas.
Pastinaca sativa can overwhelm locations where native vegetation hasn’t fully established. Wild parsnips are very persistent along edges and disturbed areas, and are found commonly in bare locations, like paths, roadsides, and utility right of ways, and are aggresively competitive where native plants aren’t well established. Because of being so prominent in disturbed areas, they can easily be spread by animals, and by humans that are working, hiking, or harvesting, and are often accidentally spread through clothing and equipment. It can also have substantial effects on human health. Some are sensitive to the plant and can develop a burning, blistering, discolored rash if they come in contact with the leaves or the sap and are exposed to direct sunlight. Skin sensitivity can last for up to a year after initial contact. This occurs most frequently in June and July, when the plant is in bloom.
Parsnip is among the first plants to emerge and may be easily detected and dug out. For large populations, a power bush cutter can be used to cut plants at the base of the stem before flowering, however, plants may resprout. Burning does not harm plants, they simply resprout.
It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general use herbicides such as glyphosate or triclopyr to spot treat basal rosettes. Follow label and state requirements.
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