Heracleum maximum
Cow parsnip
Heracleum maximum, commonly known as cow parsnip, is a robust perennial herb native to North America. Distinguished by its large, umbrella-like white flower clusters, this plant holds historical significance in traditional medicine. However, its sap can cause severe skin irritation, requiring cautious handling during identification and medicinal use.
- Scientific name: Heracleum maximum
- Family: Apiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, falling into the family Apiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Heracleum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Heracleum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Heracleum maximum, is referred to by various regional names across different languages. In French, it is called Berce laineuse, while in Croatian, it is identified as Heracleum lanatum. In Arabic, the species is known as هرقلية صوفية, and in Vietnamese, it is also listed as Heracleum lanatum. Finally, in Ukrainian, the plant is commonly called Борщівник велетенський.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Berce laineuse | Wikidata |
| hr | Heracleum lanatum | Wikidata |
| ar | هرقلية صوفية | Wikidata |
| vi | Heracleum lanatum | Wikidata |
| uk | Борщівник велетенський | Wikidata |
| nv | Azeeʼ haagaii | Wikidata |
| arz | هرقليه صوفيه | Wikidata |
| zh | 北美独活 | Wikidata |
| ja | オオハナウド | Wikidata |
| fr | Heracleum lanatum | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the regions of the Russian Far East and Eastern Asia. It can be found growing across the Kamchatka Peninsula and throughout the Khabarovsk region. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the island territories of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Moving into Eastern Asia, the species is also well-established in Japan. These locations highlight the plant's preference for the temperate climates of the North Pacific rim.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Kamchatka | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Subarctic America | Aleutian Is. | WCVP |
| Subarctic America | Alaska | WCVP |
| Subarctic America | Northwest Territories | WCVP |
| Subarctic America | Yukon | WCVP |
| Western Canada | Alberta | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Cow Parsnip, utilizes various anatomical structures for its growth and medicinal properties. The underground roots consist of a thick, fleshy rhizome that serves as a primary storage organ for the species. Each individual root system is robust and capable of anchoring the large plant firmly in the soil. Above ground, the complex leaf parts are highly characteristic, featuring large, deeply lobed, and serrated segments that create a broad canopy for photosynthesis.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Heracleum maximum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (3R,8S)-falcarindiol, 6(E)-phomopsolide A, 6-isopentenyloxyisobergapten, angelicin, bergapten.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (3R,8S)-falcarindiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6(E)-phomopsolide A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-isopentenyloxyisobergapten | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| angelicin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bergapten | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| furanocoumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isobergapten | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phomopsolide A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Heracleum maximum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tuberculosis, infectious diseases.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuberculosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |