Cow-parsnip is a leafy-stemmed, perennial herb, 3 to 9 feet tall, 

 one of the largest in the carrot or parsnip family (Umbelliferae). 

 It is also frequently called cow-cabbage and wild-pieplant. Swine 

 are fond of the plant which explains the name hogweed sometimes 

 used. It is a common and unusually widespread plant, growing from 

 Labrador, Newfoundland, New England, and Ontario to Alaska 

 southward to North Carolina, Texas, New Mexico, and California. 



Cow-parsnip is very widely distributed through the more moist 

 range lands of the West. It is a typical moisture-loving plant which 

 thrives best under conditions of semishade and grows chiefly on 

 rich loamy soils along stream banks, on wet bottoms, in open wood- 

 lands, shrub types, and meadow areas. Its common associates are 

 willows, alders, sedges, false-hellebore, and other water-loving plants. 

 Frequently it grows in scattered groups on moist, northern, or well- 

 shaded hillsides in aspen stands and similar places. Its altitudinal 

 range extends from slightly above sea level to about 10,000 feet. 



Cow-parsnip is highly palatable to all classes of livestock, being 

 relished by cattle, sheep, and goats, especially in the earlier stages 

 of its growth. The large tender leaves, flowers, and green seeds 

 are eaten first, and frequently the large juicy stems are consumed 

 nearly to the ground. In many places of scattering occurrence 

 it is "becoming extinct because the livestock seek it in preference to 

 more abundant forage. Although cow-parsnip seldom grows in dense 

 stands, it frequently produces a plentiful supply of excellent forage 

 owing to its large size and abundant leafage. The foliage remains 

 green and palatable throughout the summer. Reproduction is 

 entirely from seed. 



The tender leaf and flower stalks of cow-parsnip, being sweet and 

 aromatic, are sought by certain Indians for green food before the 

 flowers have expanded in the spring and early summer. Formerly 

 the Indians used the thick basal parts of the stems as a salt substi- 

 tute. The early Spaniards are reported to have used a medicine, 

 compounded from the roots, in the treatment of rheumatism. 



Because of its vigor and great size cow-parsnip was given the 

 generic name, Heraclewm, in honor of Heracles (Greek for Hercu- 

 les). The species name lanatu/m means woolly or hairy, and refers 

 to the fine silky hairs usually found on the plants, especially on the 

 upper portions. This is the only species of Heraclewm, native to 

 North America. 



The roots of cow-parsnip are thick, woody, and aromatic. The 

 hollow, jointed stems are very stout, often being about 2 inches thick 

 at the base. The leaves are compound and each is divided into three 

 large, rather thin leaflets which are usually very hairy or downy 

 underneath. Each leaflet has an individual stalk (petiole) and, to 

 the casual observer, looks like a large simple leaf. Because of their 

 form, they remind one of rhubarb or pieplant leaves. The small 

 white flowers grow in large, showy umbrella-shaped clusters (umbels) 

 6 to 12 inches broad. Blossoming usually occurs during July and 

 August. "Seeds" are borne in rather large quantities and usually 

 ripen during September ; they are oval, strongly flattened, somewhat 

 hairy, and have conspicuous side wings. 



