Description

Wild parsnip is a tall, native biennial with yellow flowers, rough hairs on the stem and leaves and has a pungent smell when crushed. It is our only member of the carrot family that has yellow flowers with pinnate leaves.
Flowering occurs from June to September.

Habitat Information

Wild parsnip is a plant of neutral and calcareous grassland found in rank swards on downland, on verges, and rough and uncultivated land. Its mass of simple, open flowers is attractive to a wide range of insects, particularly hoverflies and various types of beetle such as Red-headed cardinal-beetle – Pyrochroa serraticornis as shown in the photograph above.

Growing Information

Best sown in the autumn but can be sown throughout the year.