cow parsnip

[Canadian-guerilla]

will be watching this cow parsnip for growth/changes

using the tree stub as a marker


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these last 2 pics are from a different CP
but still within 5 feet and shows the ” swollen stem base “

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[wareagle69]

great pics CG, for folks who don't know this family, what distinguishes it at this point from othe members is the hairy stem, also what is around it that we can't see, but CG can, but the pics are awesome thanks man keep it up

[Sourdough]

No plant do I "LOATH" half as much as I Loath Cow Parsnip, and it is a major ground cover here.

[your_comforting_company]

I'm afraid to ask why? My literature indicates it can be used for pain relief.

[wareagle69]

my research shows that it is used for ground cover. how is it used for pain relief?

[crashdive123]

WE - The Peterson Medicinal Plants and Herbs - talks about some Native American and folklore uses. There seems to be claims of quite a few remedies using root tea, powdered root and externally poulticed on sores.

There is a pretty hefty warning regarding it - that the foliage is poisonous to livestock, roots contain photoxic compounds, including psoralen. Acrid sap can cause blisters on contact.

[wareagle69]

hmm, i have that book around here somewhere, never use that one much tho, spend most of my time just trying to figure how to eat them, hope that will kepp me healthy enough, but thanks for the tip i will look that up later.

[crashdive123]

I'm just the neophyte that's slowly learning. You guys make me look everything up.

[Sourdough]

There is a pretty hefty warning regarding it - that the foliage is poisonous to livestock, roots contain photoxic compounds, including psoralen. Acrid sap can cause blisters on contact.

Children like to throw the dry hollow stalks on campfires and the smoke "Can" be fatal to children, as it causes blisters on the lungs. If you get your body in contact with those hairs, you can have massive blisters, and if the sun is out and you are wearing shorts while mt. biking or hiking, all of your exposed skin will have severe blistering, like a near fatal sun/radiation burn. I avoid Cow Parsnip like the plague. Too the point where I will not even walk down wind of a large field of that stuff, if it is shedding pollen. I might have forgot to mention that, "I LOATH Cow Parsnip".....

[Winnie]

It has a different name over here, Hogweed. And I'm with Sourdough on this one. I hate it too!

[Canadian-guerilla]

so what are the general opinions here on eating cow parsnip

EDIBLE & MEDICINAL PLANTS OF CANADA - pg 297

" young stems were gathered before they flowered "

" inner stem was eaten raw, steamed, or boiled "

" similar to celery / texture like Rhubarb "

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with a warning at the bottom re: photodermatitis

Furanocoumarin compounds in Cow Parsnip have been shown to damage DNA

Furanocoumarins - light activated antimicrobials, these plants have been experimentaly tested in treating psoriasis, leukemia, and AIDS

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how much time before they flower ?
may still collect some stems/roots

[Rick]

Man! That's a huge warning. Damages DNA? That's the kind of stuff I walk way around. There are just too many wild edibles out there to eat anything that has the potential to harm me. That's just my opinion but a core rule that I stick with. If the book says Warning...I generally keep moving. I won't even eat pokeweed for that reason and you can find it canned in some stores.

[wareagle69]

lone pine series is great eh CG
heres one for ya its called publication 505
google ontario weeds publication 505, its on the omafra website, for 15 dollars its a great investment

[your_comforting_company]

Botany in a Day says "the mature green seeds have an analgesic effect on teeth and gums (Tilford). It also mentiones the oils and dangers, but it's listed under the "Edible and Medicinal" section seperate from the "poisonous" section. I was just curious. I guess I should have did a little reading in some of my other books before asking. I didn't realize the hairs were what caused the violent irritations.
That's why it's good to have more than one resource book!

[Sourdough]

Here it grows to about 5'-5" high, and the flowers are (Guessing) 10" to 13" across. It grows all along the roads a trails here, it seems to need a lot of direct sun, as I never find it in the deep woods. It's worse victims are the "Newbe" Mt. Bikers on a sunny day.