Heracleum lanatum

A tall (4-10? tall) deciduous perennial. Cow parsnip has large leaves and can make a good accent plant for moist areas. Cut back as needed. Although plants may last only a few years, they will reseed themselves before they pass. Butterflies (including Anise Swallowtail and Lorquin's Admiral) and ladybugs love the flowers. Large white flowers with a sweet fragrance in the Spring. Native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond. Larval food source for anise swallowtail butterfly, Spring Azure, Pale Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral. Nectar source for hummingbirds and seed for bushtits, finches. The young stalks were used by Native Americans as a vegetable. Found in grows in wet areas, old meadows, woodlands, forest openings, grasslands, stream and river edges, and along roadsides. Communitites located in Yellow Pine/Red Fir/Lodgepole/Subalpine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland Between 0 and 9000 feet.

Blooms: spring-summer, white/ huge foliage Zone 3-9. 6', PNW, part shade-sun, moist.

Named after Hercules, a Roman god of great size & strength, this Pacific Coast Native will definitely make a statement in your garden. It has large, bold leaves that are attractively lobed & nearly 2’ in length. The white flowers are arranged in flat-topped umbels & can be 10” across. Blooms June through August & provides nectar for butterflies & other beneficial insects. The flowers turn into attractive tan colored seed heads that smell faintly of anise. Leave the seed heads on the plant through the winter to provide food for birds. The overall plant can reach 5’ tall & wide, has hairy stems, & interesting swollen buds where the leaves begin to emerge. Makes a great statement for the back of the border, & has many interesting uses. Native Americans would roast the young stalks & eat the pith, the young roots were cooked as vegetables-similar to parsnips-& a paste could be made from the dried roots that was used to relieve swollen legs & aching heads. The dry hollow stems were used to make toy flutes or blow guns. Found growing in moist areas along creeks or roadsides, it can still tolerate going dry in the late summer. Reseeds. The tiny hairs on Heracleum can cause skin dermatitis for some people so be sure to wear long sleeves & gloves when gardening around them!