Cow Parsnip, Heracleum maxima, takes its genus name from "Hercules" because of the giant size of these plants. It can grow up to 7 feet tall, and its broad leaves can sometimes measure as much as 16 inches across. Its white flower umbrels are characteristic of the carrot family Apiaceae, which are generally much smaller and more delicate plants with fern-like leaves, such as yarrow, cow parsley or Queen Anne's Lace.
Native Americans found many use for Cow Parsley, including peeling and eating the stalks and young leaves, earning it the name of "Indian Celery" or "Indian Rhubarb. They often dried the stalks and used them for drinking straws or for making flutes for children. A mosquito and fly repellent was made from an infusion of the flowers rubbed on the body, and the roots were used to produce a yellow dye. As it turns out, the flower heads also produce a lovely yellow dye.
My husband and I stopped along this roadside and clipped just the flower tops from enough plants to fill this basket, which in turn, almost filled my dye pot.
After filling the pot with water and simmering for a couple of hours the liquid was a pale yellow, and I wasn't sure there would be much color for the yarn to take up.
Two 2-ounce skeins of yarn, one mordanted with alum, the other with copper, simmered for an hour or so and yielded these lovely shades of yellow, and golden-yellow.
I wonder what other species in the family (Apiaceae, or Umbelliferae) might produce. We have fennel growing on roadsides.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but it is worth trying.
DeleteIt was brought to my attention that the plant I thought was Yarrow, is not. I have made a correction to my blog. Am still not certain what plant this is. Just wanted you to know.
DeleteThis looks like Cow Parsley or something very much like it. Yarrow is a much smaller plant and the flower is slightly different. Even still it has given you a fabulous colour, we have tons of cow parsley growing on the verges here it has inspired me to give it a go :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. You are right. This plant is not Yarrow. I have been doing more research and although I have re-posted it as Cow Parsley, it may not be that, either. Both plants are said to have fern-like leaves, while my plant has a leaf that looks like a broad-leaf maple. Perhaps someone who is a botanist will see this post and help to correctly identify. Again. I appreciate you commenting.
DeleteI am not sure what it is either what it is, those type of roadside plants all look the same!!! I just love the colour that it has produced though, so vibrant and beautiful :)
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ReplyDeleteAfter much confusion on my part, this plant has finally been identified as Cow Parsnip. Thanks to everyone who commented and to those who helped in a correct identification.
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