Wild Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Элеонора Анатольевна (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Pastinaca
- Species:
- Pastinaca sativa
- USDA Symbol:
- PASA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix clemensella, Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Common Looper Moth (Autographa precationis), Euxoa tessellata, parsnip webworm (Depressaria pastinacella), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus) Moths:Parsnip moth (Depressaria radiella), Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica) Butterflies:Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers deep soil for root development
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify before spring planting.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)