(Cow Parsnip)
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum. Booth Falls Trail, Eagle Co. 4150
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum. Booth Falls Trail, Eagle Co. 4134
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum, Booth Falls, Eagle Co. 3994
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum. Booth Falls Trail, Eagle Co. 4155
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum, Schofield Pass, Gunnison Co. 0060
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum, Georgia Pass, Summit Co. 3500
| Scientific Name | Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum (Heracleum maximum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | HEMA80 |
| Common Name | Cow Parsnip | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 525943 |
| Family | Apiaceae (Parsley) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (5000 to 10500 ft.); wet areas along stream banks, bogs, and in meadows.
Plant: Perennial 3 to 10 feet tall with stout, hollow, grooved hairy stem. Leaves: Alternate, compound leaves divided into 3 large ovate to orbicular and cordate, leaflets 4 to 16 inches across; deeply lobed and coarse-toothed. Inflorescence: One to several compound umbels each with 15 to 30 rays; each cluster 4 to 8 inches across on peduncles 1-1/2 to 8 inches long and with many small white flowers; each flower with 5 obovate to obcordate petals of unequal size. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, Jepsen Herbarium and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains