Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Heracleum maximum
|
| Common Names: |
Indian Celery, Pushki, Wild Parsnip
|
| Key Name: |
Common Cow Parsnip
|
| Parts Used: |
Leaves, roots, seeds
|
| Sister Plants: |
Heracleum lanatum, Angelica archangelica, Pastinaca sativa
|
| Comments: |
Perennial herb attractive to pollinators; thrives in moist, sunny meadows
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Apiales |
| Family |
Apiaceae |
Genus |
Heracleum |
| Species |
maximum |
NCBI Tax ID |
40918
|
| Organism |
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Perennial (3-10 ft), erect ridged stem, large lobed Leaves with serrated edges, white umbel flowers (4-8 in across), blooming summer
|
| Stem: |
Erect, 3-10 ft, ridged, green with purple spots
|
| Leaves: |
Large, lobed, serrated edges, 1-2 ft wide, dark green
|
| Flowers: |
White umbel flowers, 4-8 in across, in flat-topped clusters, blooming June-August
|
| Fruit: |
Ovoid schizocarps, 0.5-1 cm, with winged seeds
|
| Taste: |
Bitter (roots), mild (Leaves)
|
| Odour: |
Mild, celery-like scent from flowers
|
| Root: |
Thick taproot
|
| Image: |
(image unavailable)
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|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to North America, from Alaska to California
|
| Cultivation: |
Plant in full Sun to partial shade, moist well-drained soil; propagate by seed or division in spring; space 2-3 ft apart; water regularly
|
| Harvest: |
Leaves/Roots: Summer (June-August); seeds: Late summer
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Expectorant, Analgesic
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for Arthritis, respiratory issues, Urinary complaints, and pain relief; roots for poultices, Leaves for tea
|
| Constituents: |
Furanocoumarins, Volatile oils, flavonoids (flavonoids)">flavonoids
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (Tincture)
|
| Dosage: |
infusion: 1 tsp dried leaves/roots in hot water, 1-2 times daily; Tincture: 1-2 mL three times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: infusion or Tincture; External: Poultice
|
| Formulas: |
|
| Contra Indications: |
May cause phytophotodermatitis; avoid contact with skin or eyes; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried leaves/roots in hot water 10 min; Poultice: Crush fresh roots
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for wound healing or respiratory support in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
1
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, flies; some self-pollination
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts bees, butterflies, native pollinators
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
ornamental, traditional crafts
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Young stems/leaves edible when cooked (use cautiously due to phototoxicity)
|
| History: |
Used by Indigenous peoples for medicine and food; noted in North American ethnobotany
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; USDA NRCS
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Heracleum+maximum
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| Share: |
Private
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