Heracleum lanatum

Heracleum lanatum Common Names cow parsnip Family Parsley Flower Color White Plant Type Herb Short Description Photosensitive skin reaction, wet soil. Is poisonous to humans. Location McCall Native Yes Weed No

Like St. John's Wort, Cow Parsnip produces phototoxins that cause the skin to be very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. When children are wearing shorts and encounter Cow parsnip, from the underside of the leaves, a reddish florescent substance is rubbed on to the skin, then activated by ultra violet sunlight, resulting in rashes and other irritations (dermatitis).

cow parsnip