Wild parsnip Identification & Reporting
Dawn M. Littleton, Program Coordinator-Invasive Plant Species
.
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Overview
This kit—part of the Rochester (MN) Public Library collection—is available to all
Minnesotans and residents of the Midwest through statewide regional library networks.
The purpose of this kit on reporting wild parsnip (WP) is to build surveillance,
identification, reporting and management capacity in natural resource professionals,
educators, and volunteers such as Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners. The kit
will use text, photos, plant specimens and practice exercises.
After using and practicing with this kit, users will possess:
● skills to identify suspicious looking seedlings, rosettes, mature plants, and
flowers that may be wild parsnip plants;
● knowledge of significant indicators and habitat features for confident
identification;
● understanding of which tools to use for reporting invasive plants and how to
report;
● safety information to protect self and others from skin irritation
(phytophotodermatitis).
After completion, participants will confidently:
● recognize look-alikes to better manage limited resources and protect native species;
● report suspected prohibited plants (e.g., WP) to the Great Lakes Early Detection
Network (GLEDN) app, EDDMapS online or Arrest the Pest and
● understand the strategies behind best practices in wild parsnip management.
Public Library Cataloging information:
TITLE: Wild parsnip Identification and Reporting Kit
AUTHOR: Dawn Littleton, [email protected], University of Minnesota Extension,
Rochester MN. Created with colleagues Angela Gupta and Christina Basch. Funding for this
project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
PURPOSE: To prepare Minnesotans to quickly detect and report wild parsnip in any
stage of development, during any season and at any location in Minnesota. This kit is
intended for self-instruction, small group or facilitated workshop instruction settings.
Recommended for adults and teens.
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Table of Contents
Reporting wild parsnip
4
What is wild parsnip?
6
Why does wild parsnip get special attention?
7
Detecting and discerning wild parsnip 8
YEAR ONE: Seedlings & Rosettes
9
YEAR TWO: Bolting & Flowering
11
yellow flower look-alikes
17
Leaf look-alike 20
Managing wild parsnip 21
References and Sources of Additional Information 23
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Reporting suspected wild parsnip
When wild parsnip is suspected, there are several ways to report it so that
natural resource professionals can verify it for tracking, management and
research.
1. Use a Smartphone or data-enabled tablet
The best way to report suspected wild parsnip (WP) is by using the Great Lakes Early
Detection Network (GLEDN) app, an invasive species reporting tool. Download the free
GLEDN app from your device’s app store.
2. Use a Computer or Tablet
To use a computer or tablet go to the EDDMapS website
(www.eddmaps.org/midwest
) to report the infestation.
Participants can set up an EDDMapS account at the EDDMapS website.
3. Use email or make a phone call
Reports can be emailed to arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us or call 888-545-6684.
How to accurately report the plant location:
• GPS enabled smartphone or GPS data-enabled tablets will load the GPS location
when uploading the photos of the plant using the GLEDN app.
• When using the EDDMapS website, enter the location by using GPS (if this
information is available) or by locating it on a map at the website.
• If reporting by email or phone, provide detailed directions to the location
where the plant was observed.
• If unable to take photos, please provide a short description of what was seen
and include it with directions to the infested site.
Take photos for reporting
• Be sure the photo is in focus. Use a hand, or common objects for size comparison.
• Take at least two types of the photos:
o A top-down view of the entire rosette.
o A view of a single leaf or leaves with all leaflets in focus.
o A picture of the entire plant.
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What is wild parsnip?
Wild parsnip (WP) (Pastinaca sativa) is a member of the carrot family, also known as the
umbel family due to the characteristically umbrella shaped flowers. In North America, umbel
family members include golden Alexander, cow parsnip, water hemlock and yellow meadow
parsnip, among others. These species share characteristics in appearance and all the have
umbel shaped flowers.
Wild parsnip, introduced by early settlers as a cultivated food source, is a classic biennial
meaning within two years the plant completes its life cycle (germination, flowering, seed
production) before dying. Year one produces a leafy rosette that supplies the underground
root with energy. The root expends most of its stored energy in the second year to complete
the plant’s reproductive life cycle. Wild parsnip is a monocarpic perennial meaning it dies
after flowering.
This plant is noticeable due to its unusual green-yellow color (a great example of chartreuse).
Multiple umbel flowers ranging from 3 to 8 inches in width are lacy with a yellow-green color.
In June and July, this yellow-chartreuse is an indicator of an individual wild parsnip plant or a
monoculture.
During year one, solar energy is collected by the rosette, then stored in the carrot-like root for
next year’s flowering and seed production, before dying.
From https://www.prairiehaven.com/?page_id=9686
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Why does wild parsnip get special attention?
Wild parsnip poses significant danger to human health. When parsnip stems or leaves are
broken, a sap containing furocoumarin will adhere to unprotected skin, causing
phytophotodermatitis.
Direct sunlight activates furocoumarin and increases the severity of skin burns under UV
light. Phytophotodermatitis can require hospitalization and the affected area may never fully
recover. Phytophotodermatitis is easily avoided by wearing closed toe shoes, socks, long
pants, long sleeves and gloves. People who control wild parsnip often work at dusk to avoid
activating the toxins. They wash off the sap with soap and water before being in sunlight the
next day.
Wild parsnip causes extensive habitat loss for nesting birds and other wildlife across the
country. Below are reports of wild parsnip across the country as of March 2019.
EDDMapS. 2019. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System.
The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed June 5, 2019.
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Where do I look for wild parsnip?
Wild parsnip grows in sunny or shady areas, near roadsides, in ditches, pastures, fallow
fields, trails and many other places with disturbed ground. Monocultures are observed in
June and July when acres of invaded habitat are identifiable by a monochromatic yellow-
chartreuse haze.
Detecting and Discerning wild parsnip
Wild parsnip is a biennial, meaning it completes germination, reproduction and senescence
within two-years. This kit helps identifiers to learn about the indicators of wild parsnip at all
development stages. Ideally the kit will enable faster identification when faced with confusing
look-alike plants. Look-alikes are plants that at first glance only appear to be a member of the
target species. When observers report and manage selected target invasive species, (and
avoiding managing look-alikes) limited resources such as time, funds, labor and materials are
more efficiently used.
Look-alikes can be any kind of plant that, for some period of time, appears to be almost
identical to the target species. Look-alikes frequently include native species already in decline
due to habitat loss. Learning to discern several nuances between the target species and look-
alikes should enable faster achievement of restoration or ecosystem goals.
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YEAR ONE: Seedlings & Rosettes
Each seedling consists of a serrated, slightly lobed leaf about an inch across. The chartreuse
color of the seedlings below is more noticeable when contrasted with nearby green grass
leaves. Chartreuse is a yellow greenish hue and the signature color of wild parsnip
throughout.
The seedlings grow to form a rosette of leaves converting sunlight to energy in the first year.
Photo from Ohio State Weed Lab
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WILD PARSNIP, YEAR ONE: Optimizing Control
Image from the MDA
In the first year seedlings and rosettes of any size population can be sprayed with
herbicide. Small populations can be dug out of the ground when non-chemical
methods are preferred or required.
YEAR TWO: Bolting & Flowering
In mid-May during the second year, wild parsnip rosettes produce a chartreuse and deeply
furrowed stem.
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Within a few weeks the stem produces the primary inflorescence, often observed as a
yellow-green flower head (also called an umbel) that is more than 4 inches across.
This is often, for a short time, the tallest flower of the plant. During the secondary
inflorescence stage, a smaller set of umbels grow to the side and above the primary
inflorescence thereby increasing the height of the plant. The diameter of the primary
inflorescence is used as benchmark in discerning wild parsnip from its look-alikes.
Rapid elongation of the stem and fast flower head production is fueled by year one
energy stored in the root.
Photo from: https://www.prairiehaven.com/?page_id=9686
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Identifying wild parsnip during the flowering stage (June and July):
Yellow-green umbels in June or July, are likely from wild parsnip if:
● The largest umbel is wider than 4 inches in diameter.
● The triangular leaves consist of 5 to15 leaflets; and wider near the base.
● The leaves are chartreuse.
● The tallest part of the plant is 3 to 5 feet from the ground.
● The stem has deep vertical ridges.
● A yellow-green haze of flowers is visible in a monoculture.
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Photo by Jodie Colon, i-Naturalist
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WILD PARSNIP YEAR TWO: Optimizing Control Method
Image from the MDA
During bolting and primary inflorescence stages wild parsnip can be easily killed by severing
the top of the root (underground) from the rest of the root. Once severed, the stem and root
can be left in place. Specially designed tools have been developed for this strategy. Some,
called parsnip predators, are available for sale.
Photo
credit John McNerny
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Secondary flower head stage, known as secondary inflorescence stage, is the optimal
time for mowing wild parsnip. Mowing at this stage terminates energy flow so that
additional flower production is suppressed while seed development from pollinated
flowers also stops developing seeds from becoming viable. Mowing after this stage,
(and including through the fall and winter) will lead to a worsening infestation as the
seeds will be viable, and the equipment will spread them.
.
Image from the MDA
The secondary inflorescence
occurs when the primary
inflorescence is no longer the
tallest flower
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Yellow flower look-alikes
Both golden and heart-leaved Alexanders are easily confused with wild parsnip. All three
species have a yellow flower head. Native Alexander species flower from May to July,
resulting in a potentially confusing eight week overlap with wild parsnip, which flowers in
June and July.
Golden Alexander
● The largest flower head is smaller than 4 inches in diameter.
● Plants are less than 30 inches tall.
● Flowers are a purer yellow than the yellow-green of wild parsnip.
● Leaves are triangular, created by three components displaying three leaflets.
Sharply tripinnate leaves of Golden Alexander
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Heart Leaved Alexander
Rounded flowers and three-part leaves of Heart-Leaved Alexander
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Wild parsnip (left) and golden Alexander
When viewed from afar the pattern of wild parsnip in a monoculture may appears to be a
consistently lacy yellow-green haze (below left). Alexander flower heads, may appear as a
splotchy yellow pattern (below right).
Wild Parsnip golden Alexander
Photo iNaturalist by lexiseubert
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Leaf look-alikes
Tall Cinquefoil Leaves
Tall cinquefoil and wild parsnip leaves are easily confused. These two species share
similarities in their leaves and leaflets and are both found across Minnesota. Young leaves on
both plants show considerable hairiness, mature leaves on both plants may show various
degrees of hairiness. The most salient factor for identifying wild parsnip plants not blooming
is the widest leaflets are near the leaf base; tall cinquefoil leave are widest nearer the leaf tip.
Wild Parsnip
Widest point of the overall leaf
is near the base,
Tall Cinquefoil
Widest point of leaf is in the upper
half,
Photo iNaturalist brookemichell
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Managing wild parsnip
The spread of wild parsnip occurs unintentionally, as it is easily transported by wind,
tractors, mowers and other equipment that has moved through contaminated areas. Humans
frequently transport seeds on their cars, clothes and shoes. Pets and wildlife enable
transportation via seed in their fur, paws and hooves.
Limited time and resources support best practices and optimal use of labor and other
resources. This chart (detailed in years one and two) provides an easy reference for planning
wild parsnip management at each stage of the lifecycle:
Image from the MDA
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Wild parsnip at the secondary inflorescent stage is a great time to mow!
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References and Sources of Additional Information
Minnesota Noxious Weeds: Minnesota Department of Transportation
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadsides/vegetation/pdf/noxiousweeds.pdf
Prairie Haven: Native Habitat Restoration in Western Wisconsin:
Wild Parsnip
(Pastinaca sativa)
https://www.prairiehaven.com/?page_id=9686
Dr. Power Equipment
https://www.drpowerblog.com/wild-parsnip-identification-control/
Friends of the Eloise Butler Wildflower garden
https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/gardeninfoa.html
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/home
Minnesota Wildflowers.
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/
EDDMaps:
https://www.eddmaps.org/
Great Lakes Early Detection Network
https://apps.bugwood.org/apps/gledn/
AUTHOR: Dawn Littleton, [email protected],
University of Minnesota Extension, Rochester
MN. Created with colleagues Angela Gupta and Christina Basch. Funding for this project was
provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
For more information: https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/wild-parsnip.
© 2019, Regents of the University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, this publication/material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-0772 or af[email protected]du.
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