Cow Parsnip Flower Cow Parsnip Flower Cow Parsnip Flower Cow Parsnip Plant


Wildflowers of Southern Arizona


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Cow Parsnip.
Heracleum maximum.
Parsley (Apiaceae) family.

The small, white flowers are in large, 6 to 12 inch (15 to 30 cm) wide, round-topped or flat-topped compound umbels. The individual flowers have 5 shallowly to deeply notched petals, 5 sepals, and 5 stamens. The flowers are followed by flat, green, egg-shaped to somewhat heart-shaped fruits with a parsley-like scent. From a distance, the fruit umbels look like green flowers. The leaves are basal and alternate, round to kidney-shaped, and ternate with 3 dark green, toothed and lobed main lobes. The stems are green, densely hairy, and hollow inside.

POISONOUS- This plant contains various phototoxic furocoumarins that can make the skin (especially light skin) extremely sensitive to sunlight and prone to sunburn. Skin contact with juice from the plant followed by exposure to sunlight can cause photodermatitis, which can range from a mild, red rash to severe skin blistering. Wear gloves when cutting or weeding this plant, promptly wash off any sap, and keep any affected areas out of direct sunlight. Merely touching this plant should not cause any harm because the phototoxins are in the sap.

Santa Catalina Mountains.
Turkey Run
Location: Along trail near trailhead.
6/9/16

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