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COW
PARSNIP
(Heracleum lanatum)
masterwort, hercules parsnip
Description:
Stout, conspicuous biennial or perennial, coarse. Stems rough,
3-10 ft. high. Large compound leaves, rough texture, edges are
serrated, divided into 3 lobed leaflets. Numerous white flowers
form compound umbels, the marginal flowers much larger than middle
flowers. Western mountain areas, along coast in moist, partially
shaded ground.
Edible,
Medicinal: Young stems, peeled, eaten raw, best when cooked.
Hollow basal portion of plant cut into small pieces, dried and
added to other food for salty taste. The cooked, tasty root good
for digestion, relieving one of gas, cramps, epilepsy. Make sure
you are not gathering the fatally poisonous water hemlock. They
share the same terrain, flowers look somewhat alike, both have
hollow stems.
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