Common Cowparsnip
To continue on my roll of observing common, uninteresting-to-most plants that you can find all around Juneau, I have decided to observe common cow parsnip. Cow parsnip is sometimes called Indian Rhubarb, but that is a different plant completely. Cow parsnip's scientific name is Heracleaum maximum, named after the greek God Heracles because of how tall it grows. It is "the only plant in the genus Heracleum native to North America" (GFE, 2020). It is commonly known as cow parsnip because it is related to parsnip, and cows often eat it.
Common cow parsnip is part of the Apiaceae family, meaning it is related to other common plants such as celery, parsley, carrots, dill, and more. The stalks of common cow parsnip can grow up to 7 feet tall, and its eaves can grow up to 16 inches wide. (GFE, 2020)
There are many uses for common cow parsnip. However, humans must be careful because the sap from the plants may cause rashes, itching, and blistering when exposed to sunlight while on human skin. It is often eaten as food when the stems are young. The outer skin is not eaten though. Cow parsnip is also used medicinally for informally for digestive issues, nausea, arthritis, and more, while "Naturopaths today use cow parsnip to treat trigeminal neuralgia caused by damaged nerves controlling facial muscles and for other forms of nerve damage" (Native Memory Project, 2019).
Various Alaska Native tribes use cow parsnip. The Unangax use it medicinally for common colds and flus, as well as for cuts and scrapes. The Sugpiaq are known for using cow parsnip for inflammation, infections, and arthritis. The Athabaskan people use it for all of these reasons, as well as toothaches. (Travel Alaska, n.d.)
Citations:
“Cow Parsnip.” Native Memory Project, 23 Sept. 2019, nativememoryproject.org/plant/cow-parsnip/#:~:text=It%20was%20and%20still%20is,used%20in%20tea%20for%20this.
“Flowers of Significance to Alaska Native Peoples.” Travel Alaska, www.travelalaska.com/travel-articles/flowers-significance-alaska-native-peoples#:~:text=Cow%20Parsnip%20(Heracleum%20maximum)&text=The%20root%20was%20chewed%20raw,in%20use%20for%20arthritis%20treatment. Accessed 23 Sept. 2023.
Gfe. “Native Plant Fun Facts: The Charismatic Cow Parsnip.” Garden for the Environment, Garden for the Environment, 4 May 2020, www.gardenfortheenvironment.org/growing-gardeners-archive/2020/5/4/native-plant-fun-facts-the-charismatic-cow-parsnip.
Comments
I'm enjoying your exploration of common species, Lera! I think starting with what we sort of already know, or are at least visually familiar with, is a great way to practice drawing our attention to the natural world. Plus, as you've mentioned elsewhere, not everyone is from southeast Alaska, so these observations are not necessarily common to everyone! :)
Now, let's look at MLA format. Your parenthetical citation must always link directly to the Works Cited entry. It links by the word(s) you provide in the parenthetical citation, so the word(s) in the parenthetical citation should be the first word(s) of the entry. It's easiest when there's an author because you then simply use the author's last name, but let's look at how you handled your parenthetical citation at the end of your journal entry. You wrote "(Travel Alaska, n.d.)." There is no entry that begins with "Travel Alaska." Instead, you need to direct readers to the correct entry by using the first word of the entry: "Flowers."
Also, dates are NOT included in parenthetical citations. Only first word(s if necessary) from the entry, and if it has page numbers, then page numbers.
As always, email me with questions!
Hi Lera, thank you for enlightening me on another common plant in Southeast Alaska. I've heard of cow's parsnip but only in the context of staying away from it to avoid the rashes and itching. I remember seeing it in my Edible Plants book but hadn't remembered what it was used for. It's interesting to know it's used by many Alaska Native tribes for many different uses. I find it interesting how plants like this one and Devil's Club can often live a double life and be dangerous or a nuisance yet also have medicinal qualities. Thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to your next observation!
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