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SEASONAL IDENTIFICATION
WILD PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa)
SPRING
&
FALL
EARLY
-
MIDSUMMER
SUMMER
LATE
SPRING
-
SUMMER
SUMMER
LATE
SUMMER
-
EARLY
FALL
Wild parsnip can be found as a seedling or rosette in spring
or fall. Leaves look like parsley when they are young. The
white tap root smells like edible garden parsnips when cut
or crushed.
Terminal yellow flower heads develop at the end of
branches. The flowers point upwards, are flat topped, and
loosely arranged.
Wild parsnip colonies in flower or in seed are quite easily
spotted along roadways. Yellow flowers are distinct, and
after seed set, the entire plant turns greenish yellow.
Leaves develop variable lobes as the plant grows tall
and stems elongate. Stems are hollow and smooth with
prominent vertical ribs.
Seeds develop starting with the central flower head. Seeds
develop as yellow-green flat, round, hairless disks.
Wild parsnip turns a rusty brown color with remnant seeds
in late summer. Dead mature plants are not likely to stand
over winter, but seedlings and rosettes can be found
growing in turf during the dormant season.
