Cow Parsnip Heracleum lanatum
So, at the top of the pass on Mt Washburn, on the side of the road , a narrow stip of green between the tarmac and drainage ditch, we found a wonderful collection of wild flowers and a few butterflies. We were about 8,000 feet up at this point.
THe first of a series of shots of the plants we found, starting with this, and thanks to the book I bought, "A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains" by Carl Schreier., IBSN 0-943972-13-2
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Heracleum maximum, cow parsnip (also known as Indian celery, Indian rhubarb or pushki) is the only member of the genus Heracleum native to North America. Its classification has caused some difficulty, with recent authoritative sources referring to it variously as Heracleum maximum or Heracleum lanatum, or as either a subspecies, H. sphondylium subsp. montanum, or a variety, H. sphondylium var. lanatum, of the common hogweed (H. sphondylium). The classification given here follows ITIS.
Cow parsnip is a tall herb, reaching to heights of over 2 metres (7 ft). The genus name Heracleum (from "Hercules") refers to the very large size of all parts of these plants.[3] Cow Parsnip has the characteristic flower umbels of the carrot family (Apiaceae), about 20 centimetres (8 in) across; these may be flat-topped or rounded, and are always white. Sometimes the outer flowers of the umbel are much larger than the inner ones. The leaves are very large, up to 40 cm (16 in) across, and divided into lobes. The stems are stout and succulent. The seeds are 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide.[1]
The stems and leaves contain furocoumarins, chemicals responsible for the characteristic rash of erythematous vesicles (burn-like blisters) and subsequent hyperpigmentation that occurs after getting the clear sap onto one's skin. The chemical is photosensitive, with the rash occurring only after exposure to ultraviolet light. Because of this, phytophotodermatitis may occur after using a weed-eater to remove the plants on a sunny day.
Indigenous North Americans have had a variety of uses for cow parsnip. It could be an ingredient in poultices applied to bruises or sores. The young stalks and leaf stems were used for food once the outer skin was peeled off. The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, or made into flutes for children.
A yellow dye can be made from the roots, and an infusion of the flowers can be rubbed on the body to repel flies and mosquitoes.[4]
In Ktunaxa, spoken by the Kutenai (the Kootenai, or Kootenay Nation as they refer to themselves outside of Canada) of the Northern Rockies, the word for cow parsnip is wumash (wumaǂ).[5]
In Konkow, spoken by the Concow (Konkow or Koyom'kawi, as they refer to themselves) of the Maidu culture in Northern California the word is chou’-mē-ō.[6]
In Lilloouet, spoken by the Northern St̓át̓imcets of BC, Canada, the word is hákwa
Cow Parsnip Heracleum lanatum
So, at the top of the pass on Mt Washburn, on the side of the road , a narrow stip of green between the tarmac and drainage ditch, we found a wonderful collection of wild flowers and a few butterflies. We were about 8,000 feet up at this point.
THe first of a series of shots of the plants we found, starting with this, and thanks to the book I bought, "A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains" by Carl Schreier., IBSN 0-943972-13-2
------------------------------------------
Heracleum maximum, cow parsnip (also known as Indian celery, Indian rhubarb or pushki) is the only member of the genus Heracleum native to North America. Its classification has caused some difficulty, with recent authoritative sources referring to it variously as Heracleum maximum or Heracleum lanatum, or as either a subspecies, H. sphondylium subsp. montanum, or a variety, H. sphondylium var. lanatum, of the common hogweed (H. sphondylium). The classification given here follows ITIS.
Cow parsnip is a tall herb, reaching to heights of over 2 metres (7 ft). The genus name Heracleum (from "Hercules") refers to the very large size of all parts of these plants.[3] Cow Parsnip has the characteristic flower umbels of the carrot family (Apiaceae), about 20 centimetres (8 in) across; these may be flat-topped or rounded, and are always white. Sometimes the outer flowers of the umbel are much larger than the inner ones. The leaves are very large, up to 40 cm (16 in) across, and divided into lobes. The stems are stout and succulent. The seeds are 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide.[1]
The stems and leaves contain furocoumarins, chemicals responsible for the characteristic rash of erythematous vesicles (burn-like blisters) and subsequent hyperpigmentation that occurs after getting the clear sap onto one's skin. The chemical is photosensitive, with the rash occurring only after exposure to ultraviolet light. Because of this, phytophotodermatitis may occur after using a weed-eater to remove the plants on a sunny day.
Indigenous North Americans have had a variety of uses for cow parsnip. It could be an ingredient in poultices applied to bruises or sores. The young stalks and leaf stems were used for food once the outer skin was peeled off. The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, or made into flutes for children.
A yellow dye can be made from the roots, and an infusion of the flowers can be rubbed on the body to repel flies and mosquitoes.[4]
In Ktunaxa, spoken by the Kutenai (the Kootenai, or Kootenay Nation as they refer to themselves outside of Canada) of the Northern Rockies, the word for cow parsnip is wumash (wumaǂ).[5]
In Konkow, spoken by the Concow (Konkow or Koyom'kawi, as they refer to themselves) of the Maidu culture in Northern California the word is chou’-mē-ō.[6]
In Lilloouet, spoken by the Northern St̓át̓imcets of BC, Canada, the word is hákwa