cow parsnip

noun

1. any of several tall, coarse plants of the genus Heracleum, of the parsley family, as H. sphondylium or H. lanatum, having large, flat clusters of white flowers.

cow parsnip

noun

1. Also called: hogweed.  keck. any tall coarse umbelliferous plant of the genus Heracleum, such as H. sphondylium of Europe and Asia, having thick stems and flattened clusters of white or purple flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of cow parsnip¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

Fire is bad for all animals, but the first plants that come back, benefiting from openings in the tree canopy, are really good food for bears: huckleberry, cow parsnip and horsetail, to name a few.

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The first plants to grow back, including huckleberry, cow parsnip and horsetail, are often plants that grizzlies like to eat.

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Relatives of the weed, including the invasive wild parsnip and the native cow parsnip, contain such toxins in their saps, albeit at lower concentrations than giant hogweed.

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Giant hogweed is very similar to the widespread native cow parsnip.

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The plant can be confused with cow parsnip, which is native to Virginia.

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