Cow Parsnip

(Heracleum maximum Bartr.)

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

▲ seedlings

▲ ▼ young plant with large, divided leaves

▲ ▼ flowering plants

▲ umbel inflorescence

▲ inflorescence and seed

▲ field of cow parsnip in California

Above photos are of the more pubescent western form, previously listed as Heracleum lanatum Michx., with photos taken in California;

Below are of photos of less hairy plants from Minnesota and Wisconsin:

▲ first year plant

▲ mature leaf

▲ fuzzy, ridged stems (but lacking purple hairs or speckling of giant hogweed)

▲ mature flowering plant

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ ▼ plant with fruit (seeds)

▲ fruit/seeds

Heracleum maximum Bartr.; Cow Parsnip: (Bayer Code: not known; US Code HEMA80)

(also called Heracleum spondylium L. and Heracleum lanataum Michx.)
Appears similar to invasive giant hogweed, but cow parsnip is native to the U.S. and lacks the purple speckling on the stems and petioles
Cow parsnip often has more fine white hairs on stems and leaf stems than giant hogweed, and usually is about 3-6 feet tall
The Heracleum lanatum Michx. form has more hairy stems and leaves and is more common in the western United States

(Updated January 15, 2019)