Rare Vascular Plants of Alberta

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Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum)
Photo by Christine Messom
Cow parsnip occurs throughout Alberta in moist, often shady, locations. Other plants with compound umbels of white flowers are sometimes mistaken for it because the form is so familiar that the details escape notice. With new weed regulations in Alberta this summer, and publicity on national television, many people have reacted "OMG, is that Giant Hogweed"? Well, no, it's not, but they are very similar. Giant Hogweed is bigger, and more obnoxious.
Cow parsnip is native to North America. Grizzly Bears eat it, presumably because it is nutritious rather than tasty. Steve Herrero, who tried eating all the plants that bears eat during his studies of their diet, said it tasted terrible, with an aftertaste that lasted for days. Like Giant Hogweed, it contains irritating chemicals to discourage herbivores.
Furocoumarins, the family of chemicals responsible, are found in varying degrees (and with differing chemical structures) in all species of Heracleum, and also in other members of the family, Apiaceae, including Angelica and parsnips. Fortunately, no Giant Hogweed has as yet been found and confirmed in Alberta.
See Heracleum mantegazzianum in the Online Wiki for more information about the differences.

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum)
Photo by Lorna Allen
Welcome to the Alberta Native Plant Council. The ANPC promotes knowledge and conservation of the native plants and vegetation of Alberta.
The ANPC counts on the services of volunteers to make a difference. See what opportunities are currently available.
Learn where you can buy native seeds and plants! (Excel spreadsheet or Adobe PDF file.)
The Holy Grail of Wild Foods? How to Gather, Prepare, and Enjoy Eating Canada Thistle
‘Flora ID Northwest’ has completed a digital key containing complete descriptive information and photographs for all vascular plant species known to grow in Alberta. The key is interactive, allowing you to identify species in a few simple steps using almost any plant features.
The CD-format flora is available through the ANPC at the special discount price of $75 CDN for ANPC members (regular price is $100 US). Order form
A Southwest Canada Edition (including BC, AB, SK, MB) is also available to ANPC members for $150 CDN (regular price is $200 US). Multi-site licences (allowing use on up to 10 computers) are also available.
For more details, please see the attached article and the upcoming IRIS.
