Wild Parsnip - Pastinaca sativa
  • Spends atl east one year in a rosette begore bolting
  • Can read up to 4' in height
  • Leaves singly pinnately compound wiht coarse saw tooth edges
  • Flowers small, yellow, 5 parted, in umbels

The Problem

  • Skin exposed to the sap becomes photosensitive - can burn easily up on exposure to sunlight casuing severe and painful blistering
  • Skin is most senstive 30 min. - 120 min. afdter exposure. This "artificial sunburn" will occur even if this is the first exposure
  • Cow parsnip (Heracieum lanatum) sap has the same properties.

Distribution

  • Found in wet roadsides & fields, especially in calcareous soils
  • Increasingly common along the lower St. John River valley in disturbed areas
  • Occurs throughout much of North America