Heracleum maximum, commonly known as cow parsnip, is the only member of the genus Heracleum native to North America. It is also known as American cow-parsnip,[4] Satan celery, Indian celery, Indian rhubarb[5] or pushki.
Cow parsnip is a tall herbaceous perennial plant,[6] reaching heights of 3 metres (10 feet).[7] The stems are hollow and densely hairy.[8] The leaves are very large, up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) across and divided into three lobes.[7] Cow parsnip has the characteristic flower umbels of the carrot family (Apiaceae), blooming from February to September.[7] The umbels can reach 30 cm (12 in) across,[7] 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 8–12 millimetres (3⁄8–1⁄2 in) long and 5–8 mm (3⁄16–5⁄16 in) wide.[9]
It is commonly confused with Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed),[10] a much larger plant that typically has purplish spots on the stems, as well as more sharply serrated leaves.[11]
Other tall invasive Heracleum species include H. mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi, and H. persicum. Other similar species include wild carrot, cow parsley, poison hemlock, wild parsnip, and species of the genus Angelica.[10]
The Plant List (which was last updated in 2013) classified H. maximum, H. lanatum, and H. sphondylium subsp. montanum as distinct species.[12][13][14] According to both the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) or the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), H. lanatum and H. maximum are synonyms for H. sphondylium subsp. montanum,[15][16] a name proposed by Brummitt in 1971.[17][18]
According to the Plant List and Plants of the World Online, H. lanatum and H. maximum are both accepted names, the latter with no infraspecific taxa.[12][19][a] On the other hand, neither are recognized as accepted names by either the ITIS or NPGS. Besides H. lanatum and H. maximum, various scientific names have been attributed to this species.[20]
Synonyms of the grouping previously classified H. lanatum include:
Synonyms listed at Plants of the World Online include:[19]
As H. lanatum, it is listed as having the variety asiaticum.[5][20][19]
The genus name Heracleum (from "Heracles") refers to the very large size of all parts of these plants.[21]
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. It occurs from sea level to elevations of about 2,700 m (9,000 ft).[9] 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.[22] The plant is also found in Siberia, East Asia, and the Kuril Islands.[20][5][23][24]
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.[20] 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.[25]
The plant contains furanocoumarins such as xanthotoxin,[26] angelicin, pimpinellin and isopimpinellin, isoimperatorin, bergapten and isobergapten, 6‐isopentenyloxyisobergapten, and sphondin.[27][28][26] In one study, the young leaves did not contain xanthotoxin, but older, senescing leaves contained "substantial amounts".[26] Some of these furanocoumarins found in cow parsnip are known to have antimicrobial[27][26] 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.[29][26][30] They are photosensitive, with the rash occurring only after exposure to ultraviolet light.[26][30] Because of this, phytophotodermatitis causing skin blistering may occur after coming into contact with the sap on a sunny day.[30] The scars and pigmentation from these blisters caused by some Heracleum species can last for months or years.[27]
The thick flower stems, coming into season in early summer, can be peeled and eaten cooked when young, as was done by Native Americans.[31][7] Caution should be taken as the flowers resemble those of the extremely poisonous Cicuta maculata.[32]
Indigenous North Americans have had a variety of uses for cow parsnip, often traveling long distances in the spring—80 kilometres (50 miles) or more—to find the succulent plant shoots.[5] The young stems and leafstalks were peeled and usually eaten raw, while early American settlers cooked the plant.[33] 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.[5][29] Pregnant women were warned away from the flower bud stalks to prevent newborns from asphyxiating when crying.[5]
At least seven native groups in North America used the plant as a dermatological aid.[5] It could be an ingredient in poultices applied to bruises or sores.[5][34] A poultice prepared from the roots of cow parsnip was applied to swellings, especially of the feet.[20] The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, or made into flutes for children. An infusion of the flowers can be rubbed on the body to repel flies and mosquitoes. A yellow dye can be made from the roots.[34]
Footnotes
Citations
Heracleum maximum, commonly known as cow parsnip, is the only member of the genus Heracleum native to North America. It is also known as American cow-parsnip, Satan celery, Indian celery, Indian rhubarb or pushki.
Heracleum maximum, comúnmente conocida como la pastinaca de vaca, es el único miembro del género Heracleum originario de América del Norte. H. maximum también se conoce como apio indio, ruibarbo indio o pushki.
Según The Plant List, Heracleum maximum es un nombre de especie aceptado[2] pero la especie no tiene sinónimos ni taxones infraespecíficos. Por otro lado, Heracleum maximum no se reconoce como un nombre aceptado ni por el Sistema Integrado de Información Taxonómica (SIIT) ni por el Sistema Nacional de Germoplasma Vegetal (NPGS). Según ITIS y NPGS, tanto Heracleum maximum como Heracleum lanatum son sinónimos de Heracleum sphondylium subsp. montanum.[3][4] Estos tres nombres a menudo se usan indistintamente en la literatura, lo que ha causado cierta dificultad y confusión.
La clasificación que figura a continuación sigue a The Plant List, es decir, cada una de Heracleum maximum, Heracleum lanatum y Heracleum sphondylium subsp. montanum es una especie distinta.[2][5][6]
La pastinaca de vaca se distribuye en la mayor parte del territorio continental de los Estados Unidos, excepto en la Costa del Golfo y en algunos estados vecinos. Crece desde el nivel del mar hasta elevaciones de aproximadamente 2,700 metros.[7] Es especialmente frecuente en Alaska, donde a menudo se encuentra creciendo entre plantas como Oplopanax horridus, que es casi idéntico en tamaño y muy similar en apariencia, y Aconitum, una flor muy tóxica. En Canadá, se encuentra en todas las provincias y territorios, excepto Nunavut. Está listado como "En peligro" en Kentucky y "Preocupación especial" en Tennessee.
La pastinaca de vaca es una hierba alta, que llega a alturas de más de 2 metros. El nombre del género Heracleum (de "Hércules") se refiere al tamaño muy grande de todas las partes de estas plantas.[8] La pastinaca de vaca tiene las características umbelas de flores de la familia de la zanahoria (Apiaceae). Las umbelas miden aproximadamente 20 centímetros (8 pulgadas) de ancho, tienen una superficie plana o redondeada y están compuestas de pequeñas flores blancas. A veces las flores exteriores de la umbela son mucho más grandes que las internas. Las hojas son muy grandes, miden hasta 40 cm de ancho y se dividen en lóbulos. Los tallos son robustos y suculentos. Las semillas tienen una longitud de 8–12 mm y una anchura de 5–8 mm.[7]
Los tallos y las hojas contienen furocumarinas, sustancias químicas responsables de la erupción característica de las vesículas eritematosas (ampollas similares a quemaduras) y la posterior hiperpigmentación que se produce después de que la savia transparente llegue a la piel. El químico es fotosensible,[9] y la erupción ocurre solo después de la exposición a la luz ultravioleta. Debido a esto, la fitofotodermatitis puede ocurrir después de cortar las plantas en un día soleado.
Comúnmente se confunde con Heracleum mantegazzianum (hierba de cerdo gigante),[10] que es una planta mucho más grande que típicamente tiene manchas purpurinas en los tallos, así como hojas más sagradas.[11]
Los indígenas norteamericanos han tenido una variedad de usos para la pastinaca de vaca. Podría ser un ingrediente en cataplasmas aplicadas a las contusiones o llagas. Los tallos jóvenes y los tallos de las hojas se usaron como alimento una vez que se despegaba la piel exterior. Los tallos secos se usaban como pajitas para los ancianos o enfermos, o se convertían en flautas para niños.
Una infusión de las flores se puede frotar sobre el cuerpo para repeler moscas y mosquitos. Un tinte amarillo se puede hacer de las raíces.[12]
Heracleum maximum, comúnmente conocida como la pastinaca de vaca, es el único miembro del género Heracleum originario de América del Norte. H. maximum también se conoce como apio indio, ruibarbo indio o pushki.
Heracleum maximum
La berce laineuse ou berce très grande (Heracleum maximum, tsot-ka-re-nion pour certains amérindiens) est la seule espèce du genre Heracleum native d'Amérique du Nord, poussant du Nouveau-Mexique (32° N) jusqu'à l'ile du Prince-Patrick (76° N)[1].
Synonyme : Heracleum lanatum.
C'est une plante herbacée vivace à partie aérienne annuelle, qui peut atteindre 2,5 m de hauteur[2].
Sa tige est dressée, robuste de (1-2 cm) à la base, ramifiée seulement vers le haut; côtelée et creuse.
Ses fleurs sont habituellement blanches, et roses chez de rares spécimens[2].
La Berce laineuse croît naturellement dans les zones humides pas trop acides.
Comme d'autres berces, la plante est comestible (racines y compris), mais la prudence est recommandée lors de sa manipulation ou consommation par des personnes photosensibles.
Elle a été signalée par plusieurs auteurs (par le frère Marie-Victorin le premier) comme probablement utilisée par les Autochtones contre la fièvre, les frissons et le syndrome grippal, en particulier par les Hurons-Wendat (Wendake) lors de la pandémie de grippe espagnole[3].
La sève de la berce laineuse, comme pour la plupart des plantes de cette famille (systématiquement pour la berce du Caucase) peut provoquer une dermatite de contact déclenchée par l'exposition de la peau au soleil.
La Berce laineuse ressemblen beaucoup à diverses autres espèces de Berce, et ne doit pas être confondue avec la berce du Caucase, invasive et phototoxique, potentiellement source de graves brûlures en cas de contacts avec sa sève.
Plante entière
Feuille
Ombelle
Heracleum maximum
La berce laineuse ou berce très grande (Heracleum maximum, tsot-ka-re-nion pour certains amérindiens) est la seule espèce du genre Heracleum native d'Amérique du Nord, poussant du Nouveau-Mexique (32° N) jusqu'à l'ile du Prince-Patrick (76° N).
Synonyme : Heracleum lanatum.
Heracleum maximum, jedna od vrsti roda Heracleum, (porodica Apiaceae). Rasprostranjena je na području Sjedinjenih država (osim u državama Zaljeva) gdje ju nazivaju cow parsnip, indian celery ili pushki, i u Kanadi.
To je višegodišnja biljka[1] koja cvjeta od svibnja do lipnja bijelim cvijećem. Može narasti preko dva metra. Indijanci su je koristili i kao lijek i za hranu, a njezine osušene stabljike služile su kao slamke za piće ili dječje flaute. Kutenai su je nazivali wumaǂ, a Konkowi chou’-mē-ō.
