Common Cowparsnip
Heracleum maximum
Also listed as Heracleum lanatum, Heracleum douglasii
Also known as Cow Parsnip, American Cowparsnip, Indian Celery
Climate Match for your location
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A large herbaceous perennial with coarse, deeply lobed leaves and tall stems topped with flat-topped clusters of small white flowers. Native to eastern North America, it thrives in moist areas and can spread aggressively.
Why grow it
Common cowparsnip offers larger flower clusters and more robust growth than many native alternatives in wet meadows and riparian zones, making it useful for stabilizing moist soils and supporting pollinators. It establishes readily from seed and tolerates poorly drained conditions that exclude many herbaceous perennials, though gardeners seeking similar ecological function in smaller spaces may prefer native species with more modest spread.
Watch out for
This plant produces seed prolifically and may occupy intended space for other species faster than anticipated in actively managed garden settings. The large leaves create considerable shade for understory plantings, and its substantial root system can make removal challenging if the plant's vigor becomes unwelcome.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large herbaceous perennial with coarse, deeply lobed leaves and tall stems topped with flat-topped clusters of small white flowers. Native to eastern North America, it thrives in moist areas and can spread aggressively.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Cowparsnip grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common cowparsnip offers larger flower clusters and more robust growth than many native alternatives in wet meadows and riparian zones, making it useful for stabilizing moist soils and supporting pollinators. It establishes readily from seed and tolerates poorly drained conditions that exclude many herbaceous perennials, though gardeners seeking similar ecological function in smaller spaces may prefer native species with more modest spread.
Watch out for
This plant produces seed prolifically and may occupy intended space for other species faster than anticipated in actively managed garden settings. The large leaves create considerable shade for understory plantings, and its substantial root system can make removal challenging if the plant's vigor becomes unwelcome.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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