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Great Lakes Center, SAMC 319
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1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222

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Photo by April Senften

Wild Parsnip

COMMON NAME:

Wild parsnip

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Pastinaca sativa

ORIGIN:

Europe and Asia

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".

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Wild parsnip thrives in full sun and grows along roadsides, fields, fence rows and waste areas.

THREAT:

Skin contact with wild parsnip's caustic sap can result in severe blistering that lasts for several weeks. Infestations in agricultural fields can also degrade hay and other crop values.

MANAGEMENT:

CAUTION – This plant has sap that can cause severe skin irritation, blistering and scarring. Be sure to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when managing this plant. For individual plants, digging or root cutting can be effective. For larger infestations, mowing while in flower and before seed set can be effective, as well as selective herbicide treatments.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 4 - Local Control

Invasive Species Priorities - Tier Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

There are no additional resources at this time.

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Widespread

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.