cow parsnip
noun
: a tall biennial or perennial herb (genus Heracleum and especially H. sphondylium of Eurasia and H. maximum synonym H. lanatum of North America) of the carrot family that has a hollow stem, thick taproot, and large clusters of usually white-flowered umbels see also giant cow parsnip
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Wild parsnip, a smaller relative to cow parsnip, grows about 5 feet tall and has thin, yellow-green stems. 
Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 The plant also grows along roadsides, but unlike poison hemlock, cow parsnip is also found in woodlands and grasslands. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 Its stalks are topped with clusters of yellow flowers, similar to those of cow parsnip and poison hemlock except for the color. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 White flower clusters bloom from mid-May through July and can easily be confused with native cow parsnip. oregonlive.com, 13 July 2019 Two other similar looking species include the very benign native plant cow parsnip, which only grows to about 6 feet, and Angelica, which has compound leaves and smooth stems. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 21 June 2018 The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed on Tuesday that giant hogweed, a toxic weed that can grow up to 15 feet tall and resembles the less dangerous cow parsnip, was identified at a private home in Clarke County. Jamie Ducharme, Time, 20 June 2018 But the cow parsnip also causes ill effects, including a blistering skin rash. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 19 June 2018 See More
Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 The plant also grows along roadsides, but unlike poison hemlock, cow parsnip is also found in woodlands and grasslands. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 Its stalks are topped with clusters of yellow flowers, similar to those of cow parsnip and poison hemlock except for the color. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 White flower clusters bloom from mid-May through July and can easily be confused with native cow parsnip. oregonlive.com, 13 July 2019 Two other similar looking species include the very benign native plant cow parsnip, which only grows to about 6 feet, and Angelica, which has compound leaves and smooth stems. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 21 June 2018 The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed on Tuesday that giant hogweed, a toxic weed that can grow up to 15 feet tall and resembles the less dangerous cow parsnip, was identified at a private home in Clarke County. Jamie Ducharme, Time, 20 June 2018 But the cow parsnip also causes ill effects, including a blistering skin rash. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 19 June 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1548, in the meaning defined above