Young leaf buds and stalks, flower buds, seeds and even the roots of cow parsnips are edible.

Foul-smelling – The foliage has an unpleasant smell. Fragrant – The flowers are fragrant. Poisonous – This plant contains various phototoxic furocoumarins that can make the skin (especially light skin) extremely sensitive to sunlight and prone to sunburn.

Both wild parsnip and cow parsnip belong to the carrot family, and both can cause skin burns. Unlike wild parsnip, cow parsnip is native to North America. ... Cow parsnip (pictured above) has white flowers while wild parsnip has yellow flowers.


This plant poses a serious health threat; see your physician if you think you have been burned by Giant Hogweed. Cow Parnsip is photo-toxic as well, but not as severe. Be sure to that you are covering all your skin if you are touching Cow's Parsnip.. . . . .364011233886!]0000000000000009783314145764!]