Cow-parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium, Sp. Pl.: 249 (1753))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 249 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Heracleum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Türkiye, Morocco

Description

Cow-parsnip, scientifically known as Heracleum sphondylium, belongs to the Apiaceae family. This notable plant, first cataloged by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in “Species Plantarum” in 1753, is notable for its impressive stature and widespread habitat.

Heracleum sphondylium is predominantly found across a broad geographic range, encompassing much of Europe to Türkiye, and extending into regions of Morocco. This species thrives in various environments, from meadows to woodland edges, and is often easily recognizable due to its tall, robust stems and large, flat-topped clusters of white flowers, which are particularly attractive to a variety of pollinators.

Despite its somewhat imposing appearance, Cow-parsnip is a valuable ecological component. It serves as a food source for many insects and provides habitat structure in the ecosystems it inhabits. The plant’s broad leaves and towering height enable it to dominate in terms of presence within its preferred habitats, making it an interesting subject of study for both botanists and naturalists.

Its etymology, derived from the same genus as the Greek demigod Heracles, reflects its strong, vigorous nature. Observers frequently encounter Heracleum sphondylium in fields and open spaces where its umbrella-like flower heads can stretch outwards, creating a characteristic visual feature in the landscapes of its native regions.

In summary, Cow-parsnip stands out not only for its ecological importance and striking appearance but also for its broad geographical distribution. As a member of the Apiaceae family, it contributes to the rich biodiversity of the regions it inhabits, providing sustenance and shelter to a range of species.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig bjørneklo, bjørneklo
Eng: cow-parsnip, eltrot, hogweed, meadow-parsnip, meadow cow parsnip, cow parsnip, eurasian cow parsnip, keck, kecks
Deu: gemeiner bärenklau, wiesen-bärenklau
Fra: berce commune – patte dours, berce commune, berce des prés, berce sphondyle, grande berce
Swe: björnloka, björnfloka
Nor: bjøn-kjæx, bjørn-kjæx
Nno: bjørnekjeks, bjønnkjeks
Nob: bjørnekjeks
Nld: gewone berenklauw
Cym: bras gawl, cecsen, cron, efwr, efwr cyffredin, efyrllys, ewr, moron y meirch, moron y moch, moronen y meirch, panasen y cawr, pannas gwyllt, pannas y fuwch
En: Cow-parsnip, Meadow-parsnip, Hogweed, Eltrot, Meadow cow parsnip, Cow Parsnip, Eurasian cow parsnip, Keck, Kecks
Ca: Belleraca, Givertassa
Cs: Bolševník obecný
Da: Almindelig bjørneklo, Bjørneklo
Nl: Gewone berenklauw, Gewone Bereklauw
Fi: Etelänukonputki, Ukonputki
Fr: Berce commune – patte dours, Berce commune, Berce des prés, Berce sphondyle, Grande berce, Branc-ursine, Fausse Acanthe, Herbe du Diable, Patte-d’ours, Patte d’ours
De: Wiesen-Bärenklau, Gemeiner Bärenklau, Gemeine Bärenklau
Is: Hestahvönn
It: Panace comune
No: Kystbjørnekjeks, Bjøn-kjæx, Bjørn-kjæx
Nb: Bjørnekjeks
Nn: Bjørnekjeks, Bjønnkjeks
Sk: Boľševník borščový
Es: Branca ursina
Sv: Björnloka, Björnfloka
Cy: Bras Gawl, Cecsen, Cron, Efwr, Efwr Cyffredin, Efyrllys, Ewr, Moron y Meirch, Moron y Moch, Moronen y Meirch, Panasen y Cawr, Pannas Gwyllt, Pannas y Fuwch

Synonyms

• Heracleum sphondylium var. macrocarpum (Lange)
• Heracleum alpinum var. pyrenaicum ((Lam.) Pers.)
• Sphondylium vulgare (Gray)
• Heracleum australe f. wendtioides (Murb.)
• Pastinaca sphondylium ((L.) Calest.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Tibet (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 27, 2017 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by R R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 28, 2019 by Alain Haye (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2019 by France Gérard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Béatrice Escande (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Constant SIMON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by rudy luijters (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by jean-paul lemaitre (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:843179-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034830)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Heracleum sphondylium L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 8