![]() ![]() Well-established prairies are not likely to be invaded by parsnip, but it can become quite abundant on prairie edges and in disturbed patches within otherwise high quality prairies. In infested areas it regularly occurs along paths and roadsides where eradication is desirable from a human safety as well as ecological standpoint. It is an undesirable exotic weed and produces a compound that causes severe blistering and discoloration on contact with the skin on sunny days, a condition known as photodermatitis. ![]() Species Impact: Pastinaca sativa invades disturbed bare areas, especially those with calcareous soils. Mowing decreases competitive ability of companion species and increases density of flowering parsnip stems. After a spring burn, parsnip is among the first plants to emerge and may be easily detected and dug out to control abundance along prairie edges. Where it occurs on recovering prairies the best management may be simply to encourage good prairie growth. Flowering plants should be chopped off below the ground before seed set. Stewardship Overview: Pastinaca sativa can be controlled by hand-digging along paths, roadsides, and other bare areas, and prairie edges. Management Research Needs: Research is not considered a priority since parsnip does not invade high quality natural areas. Mark Martin, Natural Areas Management Specialist, Wisconsin DNR, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Virginia Kline, University of Wisconsin Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison, WI 53711. Control is achieved mainly by hand-pulling. Management Programs: The following individuals are familiar with wild parsnip. The parsnip webworm damages some individual plants severely, but is not known to devastate whole patches and is not likely to be useful as a biocontrol agent (Martin 1987). When present, wild parsnip rosettes are among the first plants to green up after an early spring burn and they become easy to detect and dig up with a shovel. The vegetative rosettes can also be dug up if enough labor is available, otherwise, the area should be revisited the following year to remove any newly flowering plants.īurning removes litter and taller plants allowing parsnip rosettes to develop rapidly. Since the plants do not all flower at once, the area should be rechecked several weeks after the first cutting. Care should be taken to avoid contact with the plant tissues. Flowering plants should be chopped off just below ground level before seed set. For example, prescribed burning encourages the growth of native grasses, which in turn outcompete and eventually displace the wild parsnip (Kline 1987).įor small patches, weeding with a shovel is the best control measure. sativa occurs on a recovering prairie, the best treatment may be to simply encourage good prairie growth. The steady decline in parsnip density in the unmowed plot suggested that in situations where other plants are able to offer competition, the best parsnip control measure is to do nothing (Kline 1986). The July mowing reduced density, height, and flowering of the goldenrod, allowing more sunlight to reach immature parsnip seedlings. The common goldenrod, Solidago altissima, was abundant in all plots at the start of the experiment. Kline (1986) tested annual mowing of parsnip in July before seed set over a six- year period and observed increases in the abundance of flowering plants in the mowed plots, but a steady decline in parsnip density in the unmowed control plot. Mowing also stresses other species that have the potential to be good competitors against parsnip, such as Solidago spp. If mowing occurs too early (in June or early July), the plants may resprout and still have time to flower and set seed if too late in July, the primary umbel may have mature seeds that will germinate after cutting. Management Requirements: Wild parsnip can become abundant along roadsides that are regularly mowed as mowing seems to encourage the production of flowering plants. If unharvested, it produces its flowering stem, topped by an umbel of. In its first growing season, the plant has a rosette of pinnate, mid-green leaves. Its long tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh and can be left in the ground when mature as it becomes sweeter in flavor after winter frosts. It is a biennial plant usually grown as an annual. The parsnip ( Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable closely related to the carrot. ![]()
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