Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

by Annabel Strate-Friesen and Beryl Tovim  (August 2015)

wild parsnipSome of the people in our community have suffered chemical burns from a plant in the carrot family, which is known as wild parsnip. This plant spends its first summer as a rosette of leaves fairly close to the ground, and it was in this form that a young lady encountered the plant while weeding in her garden.

Identifying the wild parsnip is fairly easy if one can spot the rosette of leaves, anchored by a large thick taproot. When conditions are right, usually in the second summer, it sends up a single yellow flower stalk that holds hundreds of yellow flowers in flat-topped umbrella like clusters called umbels.

The problem with wild parsnip is that humans develop a severe skin irritation from contact with sap from the plant. Wild parsnip burns usually occur in streaks and elongated spots, reflecting where a damaged leaf or stem moves across the skin before exposure to sunlight. If the sap gets into the eyes it may cause temporary or permanent blindness. We are relieved that no one local has yet suffered such a severe reaction; we do, however, urge you to be proactive in controlling it.

The best way to control wild parsnip is by early detection and eradication. Removing a small or new infestation early will prevent a much larger problem from developing. Regardless of the method used the goal is to prevent the plants from seeding.

There are some simple approaches to avoid wild parsnip burns:

  • Know the wild parsnip plant by sight.
  • Teach children to recognise wild parsnip.
  • Teach children at an early age of the potential danger of poisonous plants.
  • Discourage children from picking wild flowers.
  • Wear gardening gloves while working around wild parsnip.

References: www.healthunit.org,

Seed Festival
Friends gathered and Benoît floated the idea of a “Seed Festival”. It did not take me long to get involved in this wonderful project! All gardeners dream of heirloom vegetables, fruits, and special flowers…, the search for the rare and exclusive.

In August I harvest the seeds of dried flowers; some in capsules, others egrets, more still in bristles, the volatile seeds under nets. I put these seeds in well-identified paper envelopes in a dry, ventilated area. In September and October, the ripe fruit and vegetable seeds are washed and dried in the sun a few days. I sow seedlings the following spring indoors or directly into the ground.

Starting from its own seed ensures the right strain and having the seedlings at the right stage for planting in the garden. In short it is an easy activity, enjoyable, economical, and brings more summer to our lives when there is still snow outside! Google how to save your seeds and several websites can help you and answer questions (e.g., www.seeds.ca/) among others,

The other good idea comes from Mary, and why not … the seed library “Grainothèque” to create a seed bank of all kinds, especially heritage, open to all gardeners. Here in Montérégie West we have long spells of warm weather. Take advantage of this exclusive condition to try out the rarest and most fragile seeds.

Starting this year keep your seeds – seeds of all kinds – write their names on envelopes, special natures, gustatory qualities, olfactory, visual…. Our first annual meeting should be in February 2016 when we will start our Grainothèque.

Although the Seed Festival will focus on the exchange of seeds, with the addition of Grainothèque it will be possible to save more and to establish a special bank for the coming seasons retaining the best strains of plant species and preserving our cultural practices.

The Seed and Grainothèque festival should be in February 2016. More details (i.e. date, time, and location) in the up-coming Info Hemmingford.

I look forward to welcoming you there and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 247-0137 or lesechalas@gmail. com

Carole Lizotte (organizer of Garden Fest in May) Mary Strate, collaborator and English translation