I produce compounds that blister your skin,
people peg me as Hogweed’s twin!
My thousands of seeds make travel a breeze,
in croplands and fields, I spread with ease.
I Spy in the Sea to Sky…
This plant was introduced from Europe as a root crop, and its leaves and stems are toxic enough to cause skin blisters! Can you guess what it is?
It’s Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)! It flowers from May to September and produces seeds from August to September. It likes to grow in partial to full sun, and it does not tolerate shade. You might see it in abandoned fields, on roadsides, and along trails. Wild Parsnip is a high-priority species in the Sea to Sky region. We aim to eradicate it from the region, as per SSISC’s priority plant species list. Wild Parsnip is also one of Pemberton’s Worst Weeds.
Wild Parsnip can be easily identified by several distinctive features:
- Yellow flowers grouped into an umbrella-shaped cluster.
- Erect stems covered in sparse hairs, growing up to 2 m tall.
- Alternate, branched leaves with saw-toothed edges.
- Basal leaves that grow up to 40 cm long, and decrease in size up the stem.
- A thick, long, yellow-brown taproot.
Is Wild Parsnip the same species as the parsnip I see at the grocery store?
Yes, it actually is! This species was cultivated as a root crop in Europe, and was introduced to North America as a crop too. There are slight differences between Wild Parsnip and modern cultivated parsnip varieties, but they are generally considered the same plant species.
Fun fact: Parsnip roots are quite similar to carrots and were very popular in the Middle Ages in Europe. They were a common food in many households before potatoes were introduced to Europe.
The root of Wild Parsnip might be edible, but this invasive species is quite harmful. The leaves and stems of Wild Parsnip are extremely toxic. Do not touch or try to harvest Wild Parsnip. Let’s leave that to the professionals!
Why is Wild Parsnip such a concern in the Sea to Sky?
Wild Parsnip is an aggressive spreader with no natural predators in our area. It spreads vegetatively and by seed. Each plant can produce up to 2000 seeds in a season. Its seeds can be dispersed by wind, water, moving contaminated soil, or accidental escape from agricultural fields and vegetable gardens.
The main concern with Wild Parsnip is that it is highly toxic to humans. Similar to Giant Hogweed, skin contact with its leaves and stems can cause photodermatitis, resulting in severe blistering when exposed to sunlight.
Wild Parsnip also negatively impacts our local ecosystem by outcompeting native species. Moreover, it displaces pollinator-friendly plants, as honeybees do not visit Wild Parsnip.
To find out what you can do to help, please visit its species profile page.
I Spy in the Sea to Sky Contest
Guess the invasive species in our I Spy in the Sea to Sky weekly social media post, June through August, to enter our giveaway.
At the end of each month, one lucky commenter will win a native wildflower seed mix packet! Follow us and comment on social media to participate!
CONTEST RULES:
- Comment your guess (common or species name) on the social media post (on Instagram or Facebook) to enter. Only correct guesses will qualify you for the giveaway.
- One entry per person per post.
- Anyone can play, but only Sea to Sky region residents can win.
- Entries will close at 11:59 PM PST on July 31th, 2024.
- Winners will be announced in the first week of August in an Instagram story AND contacted directly via their platform of entry.
Want to learn more?
- Wild Parsnip Species Profile Page
- Pemberton’s Worst Weeds
- Do Not Mow Signs – What are they for?
- Canna.ca – Wild Parsnip History (NOTE: this website mentions instructions for growing Wild Parsnip; we don’t recommend growing this plant in the Sea to Sky due to its invasive nature.)
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