Editing Heracleum maximum

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image=Heracleum lanatum from High Trail.jpg
|image_caption=''H. maximum'' growing wild in the [[Sierra Nevada]] mountains, [[California]]
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref name=IUCN/>
|taxon=Heracleum maximum
|authority=[[William Bartram|W.Bartram]]<ref name="ipni843087" />
|display_parents=5
|synonyms_ref=<ref name="vascan" />
|synonyms=See text.
}}

'''''Heracleum maximum''''', commonly known as '''cow parsnip''', is the only member of the genus ''[[Heracleum (plant)|Heracleum]]'' native to [[North America]]. It is also known as '''American cow-parsnip''',<ref name="gobot" /> '''Satan celery''', '''Indian celery''', '''Indian rhubarb''',<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /> '''poison turnip'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary of Newfoundland English A-Z Index |url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#3418 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.heritage.nf.ca}}</ref> or '''pushki'''.

==Description==
[[File:Heracleum lanatum buds.jpg|thumb|The leaves are up to {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}} across and divided into lobes.]]
[[File:Heracleum maximum 3935.JPG|thumb|The seeds are {{cvt|8|-|12|mm|frac=16|in|1}} long and {{cvt|5|-|8|mm|frac=16|in|1}} wide.]]

Cow parsnip is a tall [[herbaceous]] perennial plant,<ref name="Quattrocchi2016">{{cite book |author=Umberto Quattrocchi |title=CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-37OBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1959 |date=19 April 2016 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4822-5064-0 |pages=1959–}}</ref> reaching heights of {{convert|3|m|ft|0|abbr=off}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Spellenberg |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalaudubons00spel/page/340/ |title=National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region |publisher=Knopf |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-375-40233-3 |edition=rev |pages=340–341 |orig-date=1979}}</ref> The stems are hollow and densely hairy.<ref name="FosterHobbs2002">{{cite book |author1=Steven Foster |author2=Christopher Hobbs |title=A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tg_bPUzhJ9oC&pg=PA67 |year=2002 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=0-395-83806-1 |pages=67–}}</ref> The [[leaves]] are very large, up to {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=off}} across and divided into three lobes.<ref name=":0" /> Cow parsnip has the characteristic flower [[umbel]]s of the carrot family ([[Apiaceae]]), blooming from February to September.<ref name=":0" /> The umbels can reach {{convert|30|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} across,<ref name=":0" /> flat-topped or rounded, and composed of small white flowers. Sometimes the outer flowers of the umbel are much larger than the inner ones. The seeds are {{convert|8|-|12|mm|frac=8|in|1}} long and {{cvt|5|-|8|mm|frac=16|in|1}} wide.<ref name="snflora" />

=== Similar species ===
''Heracleum maximum'' is commonly confused with ''[[Heracleum mantegazzianum]]'' (giant hogweed),<ref name="inatsim" /> a much larger plant that typically has purplish spots on the stems, as well as more sharply serrated leaves.<ref name="maine" />

Other tall invasive ''[[Heracleum (plant)|Heracleum]]'' species include ''[[Heracleum mantegazzianum|H.&nbsp;mantegazzianum]]'', ''[[Heracleum sosnowskyi|H.&nbsp;sosnowskyi]]'', and ''[[Heracleum persicum|H.&nbsp;persicum]]''. Other similar species include [[Daucus carota|wild carrot]], [[Anthriscus sylvestris|cow parsley]], [[Conium maculatum|poison hemlock]], wild [[parsnip]], and species of the genus ''[[Angelica]]''.<ref name="inatsim" />

==Taxonomy==
[[The Plant List]] (which was last updated in 2013) classified ''H.&nbsp;maximum'', ''H.&nbsp;lanatum'', and [[Heracleum sphondylium|''H.&nbsp;sphondylium'']] subsp. ''montanum'' as distinct species.<ref name="tro-1702106" /><ref name="tro-1700134" /><ref name="kew-2898302" /> According to both the [[Integrated Taxonomic Information System]] (ITIS) or the [[National Plant Germplasm System]] (NPGS), ''H.&nbsp;lanatum'' and ''H.&nbsp;maximum'' are synonyms for ''H.&nbsp;sphondylium'' subsp. ''montanum'',<ref name="ITIS-525943" /><ref name="NPGS-319140" /> a name proposed by Brummitt in 1971.{{r|Brummitt 1971|Page et al. 2006}}

According to the Plant List and [[Plants of the World Online]], ''H.&nbsp;lanatum'' and ''H.&nbsp;maximum'' are both accepted names, the latter with no infraspecific taxa.<ref name="tro-1702106" /><ref name="powo" />{{efn|''Heracleum maximum'' is also accepted by the Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN), referencing the in prep family treatment in the [[Flora of North America]] project.<ref name="vascan" />}} On the other hand, neither are recognized as accepted names by either the ITIS or NPGS. Besides ''H.&nbsp;lanatum'' and ''H.&nbsp;maximum'', various scientific names have been attributed to this species.<ref name="UMT-73973" />

Synonyms of the grouping previously classified ''H.&nbsp;lanatum'' include:
* ''Heracleum montanum''
* ''Heracleum sphondylium'' subsp. ''lanatum''
* ''Heracleum sphondylium'' var. ''lanatum''
* ''Heracleum sphondylium'' subsp. ''montanum''

Synonyms listed at Plants of the World Online include:<ref name="powo" />
{{Species list
|Heracleum douglasii |DC.
|Heracleum inperpastum |Koidz.
|Heracleum lanatum |Michx.
|Heracleum sphondylium var. lanatum |(Michx.) Dorn
|Heracleum sphondylium subsp. lanatum |(Michx.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
|Heracleum sphondylium var. tsurugisanense |(Honda) H.Ohba
|Heracleum turugisanense |Honda
|Pastinaca lanata |Koso-Pol.
|Sphondylium lanatum |(Michx.) Greene
}}

As ''H. lanatum'', it is listed as having the [[Variety (botany)|variety]] ''asiaticum''.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref name="UMT-73973" /><ref name="powo" />

The genus name ''Heracleum'' (from "[[Heracles]]") refers to the very large size of all parts of these plants.<ref name="horn1998" />

[[File:Heracleum maximum 028.jpg|thumb|left|Heracleum maximum Bart. [[Batiscan River#Photos|Batiscan River]] banks, [[Quebec]]]]

== Distribution and habitat ==
{{multiple images|perrow=1
|image1=Big pushki.jpg
|caption1=Specimen in [[Homer, Alaska]]
|image2=Big pushki in winter.jpg
|caption2=The same spot in late winter, showing the dead white stalks
}}

The species is native to North America, being distributed throughout most of the continental [[United States]] (except the [[Gulf Coast]] and a few neighboring states), ranging from the [[Aleutian Islands]] and [[Alaska]] in the far northwest to [[Newfoundland]] on the east coast, extending south as far as [[California]], [[New Mexico]], [[Kansas]], [[Ohio]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. It occurs from sea level to elevations of about {{convert|9000|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="snflora" /> It is especially prevalent in Alaska, where it is often found growing amongst plants like [[devil's club]], which is nearly identical in size and somewhat similar in appearance, and [[monkshood]], a very toxic flower. In [[Canada]], it is found in every province and territory except [[Nunavut]]. It is listed as "[[Endangered]]" in [[Kentucky]] and "Special Concern" in [[Tennessee]].<ref name="PLANTS" /> The plant is also found in [[Siberia]], [[East Asia]], and the [[Kuril Islands]].<ref name="UMT-73973" /><ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Heracleum lanatum Michx. |url=https://www.gbif.org/species/3034828 |access-date=September 25, 2018 |publisher=Global Biodiversity Information Facility}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Heracleum lanatum: Cow Parsnip |url=http://eol.org/pages/489575/maps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052028/http://eol.org/pages/489575/maps |archive-date=2018-09-26 |access-date=September 25, 2018 |publisher=Encyclopedia of Life}}</ref>

== Ecology ==
The species is widely recognized as a valuable pasture plant for cows, sheep, and goats. It is also known to be important in the diets of numerous wild animals, especially bears, both grizzly bears and black bears.<ref name="UMT-73973" /> It is a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly (''[[Papilio polyxenes]]''), short-tailed swallowtail butterfly (''[[Papilio brevicauda]]''), old world swallowtail butterfly (''[[Papilio machaon]]''), anise swallowtail butterfly (''[[Papilio zelicaon]]''), and the moths ''[[Eupithecia tripunctaria]]'', ''[[Papaipema harrisii]]'', ''[[Papaipema impecuniosa]]'', ''[[Agonopterix clemensella]]'', ''[[Agonopterix flavicomella]]'', and ''[[Depressaria pastinacella]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Robinson |first1=Gaden S. |last2=Ackery |first2=Phillip R. |last3=Kitching |first3=Ian |last4=Beccaloni |first4=George W. |last5=Hernández |first5=Luis M. |date=2023 |title=HOSTS - The Hostplants and Caterpillars Database at the Natural History Museum |url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/hostplants/search/list.dsml?searchPageURL=index.dsml&Familyqtype=starts+with&Family=&PFamilyqtype=starts+with&PFamily=&Genusqtype=starts+with&Genus=&PGenusqtype=starts+with&PGenus=heracleum&Speciesqtype=starts+with&Species=&PSpeciesqtype=starts+with&PSpecies=maximum&Country=&sort=Family |journal= |doi=10.5519/havt50xw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118164723/https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/hostplants/search/list.dsml?searchPageURL=index.dsml&Familyqtype=starts+with&Family=&PFamilyqtype=starts+with&PFamily=&Genusqtype=starts+with&Genus=&PGenusqtype=starts+with&PGenus=heracleum&Speciesqtype=starts+with&Species=&PSpeciesqtype=starts+with&PSpecies=maximum&Country=&sort=Family |archive-date=2022-11-18 |website=www.nhm.ac.uk}}</ref>

== Toxicity ==
The plant contains [[furanocoumarin]]s such as [[xanthotoxin]],<ref name="camm1976" /> [[angelicin]], [[pimpinellin]] and [[isopimpinellin]], [[isoimperatorin]], [[bergapten]] and [[isobergapten]], {{Nowrap|[[6‐isopentenyloxyisobergapten]]}}, and [[sphondin]].<ref name="bahadori2016" /><ref name="oneill2013" /><ref name="camm1976" /> In one study, the young leaves did not contain xanthotoxin, but older, senescing leaves contained "substantial amounts".<ref name="camm1976" /> Some of these furanocoumarins found in cow parsnip are known to have [[antimicrobial]]<ref name="bahadori2016" /><ref name="camm1976" /> properties and are responsible for a rash producing erythematous vesicles (burn-like blisters) and hyperpigmentation that occurs after getting the clear sap onto one's skin.<ref name="turner1973" /><ref name="camm1976" /><ref name="meades" /> They are photosensitive, with the rash occurring only after exposure to ultraviolet light.<ref name="camm1976" /><ref name="meades" /> Because of this, [[phytophotodermatitis]] causing skin blistering may occur after coming into contact with the sap on a sunny day.<ref name="meades" /> The scars and pigmentation from these blisters caused by some ''Heracleum'' species can last for months or years.<ref name="bahadori2016" />

== Uses ==
The thick flower stems, coming into season in early summer, can be peeled and eaten cooked when young, as was done by Native Americans.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lyons |first=C. P. |author-link=C. P. Lyons |title=Trees, Shrubs and Flowers to Know in Washington |date=1956 |publisher=J. M. Dent & Sons |location=Canada |pages=125, 196 |edition=1st}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Caution should be taken as the flowers resemble those of the extremely poisonous ''[[Cicuta maculata]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Niering |first1=William A. |author-link1=William Niering |last2=Olmstead |first2=Nancy C. |title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region |year=1985 |orig-year=1979 |publisher=Knopf |isbn=0-394-50432-1 |page=331}}</ref>

[[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous North American]]s have had a variety of uses for cow parsnip, often traveling long distances in the spring—{{convert|50|miles|km|order=flip|abbr=off}} or more—to find the succulent plant shoots.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /> The young stems and leafstalks were peeled and usually eaten raw, while early [[American settlers]] cooked the plant.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reiner |first=Ralph E. |title=Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies |publisher=Glacier Park, Inc. |year=1969 |pages=18}}</ref> In terms of taste, texture, and nutrients, the peeled stalks resembled celery, which gave rise to the common name "Indian celery". The natives were aware of the toxic effects of the plant, knowing that if the outer skin were not removed, one would get an "itchy mouth" or blistering skin.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref name="turner1973" /> Pregnant women were warned away from the flower bud stalks to prevent newborns from [[asphyxiating]] when crying.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" />

At least seven native groups in North America used the plant as a dermatological aid.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /> It could be an ingredient in [[poultice]]s applied to bruises or sores.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref name="ethno" /> A poultice prepared from the roots of cow parsnip was applied to swellings, especially of the feet.<ref name="UMT-73973" /> The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, or made into [[flute]]s for children. An infusion of the flowers can be rubbed on the body to repel flies and [[mosquito]]es. A yellow [[dye]] can be made from the roots.<ref name="ethno" />

==References==
'''Footnotes'''
{{notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=Maiz-Tome, L. |title=''Heracleum maximum'' |page=e.T64314237A67729681 |year=2016 |access-date=April 17, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name="bahadori2016">{{cite journal |last1=Bahadori |first1=Mir Babak |last2=Dinparast |first2=Leila |last3=Zengin |first3=Gokhan |title=The Genus ''Heracleum'': A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Ethnobotanical Values as a Useful Herb |journal=Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety |date=November 2016 |volume=15 |issue=6 |pages=1018–1039 |doi=10.1111/1541-4337.12222 |pmid=33401836|s2cid=89366437 }}</ref>
<ref name="camm1976">{{cite journal |last1=Camm |first1=Edith L. |last2=Wat |first2=Chi-Kit |last3=Towers |first3=G. H. N. |title=An assessment of the roles of furanocoumarins in ''Heracleum lanatum'' |journal=Canadian Journal of Botany |date=15 November 1976 |volume=54 |issue=22 |pages=2562–2566 |doi=10.1139/b76-275}}</ref>

<ref name="ethno">{{cite web |url=http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Heracleum%20maximum |title=BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database |website=naeb.brit.org}}</ref>
<ref name="horn1998">{{citation |author=Elizabeth L. Horn |title=Sierra Nevada Wildflowers |year=1998 |publisher=Mountain Press |isbn=0-87842-388-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/sierranevadawild00horn_0}}</ref>
<ref name="inatsim">{{cite web |title=''Heracleum maximum'': Similar Species |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53094-Heracleum-maximum#similar-tab |website=iNaturalist.org |publisher=iNaturalist |access-date=2018-08-26}}</ref>
<ref name="ipni843087">{{cite web |title=Heracleum maximum |url=http://beta.ipni.org/n/843087-1 |website=ipni.org |publisher=International Plant Names Index |access-date=2018-09-20}}</ref>

<ref name="gobot">{{Go Botany|genus=Heracleum|species=maximum|accessdate=4 January 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="maine">{{cite web |title=Giant Hogweed, ''Heracleum mantegazzianum'' |url=https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/horticulture/hogweedlookalikes.shtml |website=maine.gov |publisher=State of Maine: Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry |access-date=2018-08-26}}</ref>
<ref name="meades">{{cite web |last1=Meades |first1=S.J. |last2=Schnare |first2=D. |last3=Lawrence |first3=K. |last4=Faulkner |first4=C. |title=Heracleum maximum W.Bartram |url=http://www.northernontarioflora.ca/description.cfm?speciesid=1004531 |website=Northern Ontario Plant Database |publisher=Algoma University College and Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada |access-date=8 October 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="oneill2013">{{cite journal |last1=O'Neill |first1=Taryn |last2=Johnson |first2=John A. |last3=Webster |first3=Duncan |last4=Gray |first4=Christopher A. |title=The Canadian medicinal plant ''Heracleum maximum'' contains antimycobacterial diynes and furanocoumarins |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |date=May 2013 |volume=147 |issue=1 |pages=232–237 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2013.03.009 |pmid=23501157}}</ref>
<ref name="PLANTS">{{PLANTS |symbol=HEMA80 |taxon=Heracleum maximum |access-date=2008-03-30}}</ref>
<ref name="powo">{{cite web |title=''Heracleum maximum'' W.Bartram |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:843087-1 |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanical Gardens Kew |access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="snflora">{{citation |author=Norman F. Weeden |title=A Sierra Nevada Flora |year=1996 |publisher=Wilderness Press |isbn=0-89997-204-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/sierranevadaflor00weed}}</ref>
<ref name="tro-1700134">{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-1700134 |title=Heracleum lanatum Michx. |date=2013 |website=The Plant List, Version 1.1 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="kew-2898302">{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2898302 |title=Heracleum sphondylium subsp. montanum (Schleich. ex Gaudin) Briq. |date=2013 |website=The Plant List, Version 1.1 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="tro-1702106">{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-1702106 |title=Heracleum maximum W. Bartram |date=2013 |website=The Plant List, Version 1.1 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="turner1973">Turner, N. J. 1973. The ethnobotany of the Bella Coola Indians of British Columbia. Syesis, 6: 193-220.</ref>
<ref name="vascan">{{cite web |title=''Heracleum maximum'' W. Bartram |url=http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/2583 |website=data.canadensys.net |publisher=Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN) |access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="ITIS-525943">{{cite web |title=Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum (Schleich. ex Gaudin) Briq. |url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=525943 |access-date=September 21, 2018 |website=Integrated Taxonomic Information System}}</ref>
<ref name="NPGS-319140">{{cite web |title=Taxon: Heracleum sphondylium L. subsp. montanum (Schleich. ex Gaudin) Briq. |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=319140 |access-date=September 21, 2018 |website=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service}}</ref>
<ref name="UMT-73973">{{cite thesis |last1=Campbell |first1=Robert B. |date=1991 |title=Ecology of Heracleum lanatum Michx. (cow parsnip) communities in northwestern Montana |url=https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/7397/ |type=MS thesis |publisher=University of Montana |access-date=September 25, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864">{{cite journal |last1=Kuhnlein |first1=Harriet V. |last2=Turner |first2=Nancy J. |year=1986 |title=Cow-Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum Michx.): An Indigenous Vegetable of Native People of Northwestern North America |url=https://ethnobiology.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/JoE/6-2/KuhnleinTurner1986.pdf |journal=J. Ethnobiol. |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=309–324}}</ref>
<ref name="Brummitt 1971">{{cite journal |last1=Brummitt |first1=R. K. |title=Relationship of ''Heracleum lanatum'' {{small|Michx.}} of North America to ''H.&nbsp;sphondylium'' of Europe |journal=Rhodora |date=December 1971 |volume=73 |issue=796 |pages=578–584 |jstor=23311734 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14544#page/586/mode/1up |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref>
<ref name="Page et al. 2006">{{cite journal |last1=Page |first1=N. A. |last2=Wall |first2=R. E. |last3=Darbyshire |first3=S. J. |last4=Mulligan |first4=G. A. |year=2006 |title=The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 4. Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier |journal=Can. J. Plant Sci. |volume=86 |issue=2 |pages=569–589 |doi=10.4141/P05-158|doi-access=free }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?329,411,412 ''Jepson Manual'' species treatment]
*{{CalPhotos|Heracleum|maximum}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20220419021614/https://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Heracleum+sphondylium+montanum ''Plants for a Future'' report on the species]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2896924}}

[[Category:Apioideae]]
[[Category:Flora of Northern America]]
[[Category:Plants used in traditional Native American medicine]]