parsnip

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• parsnip
• wild parsnip
• poison parsnip

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Elaphoboscum sativum
• Peucedanum sativum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pastinaca sativa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Pastinaca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its distribution extends further north into the landscapes of Finland and Norway. In the western territories, the species is also well-established within Great Britain. Finally, it maintains a consistent presence across the island of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pastinaca sativa is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse landscapes, frequently colonizing disturbed environments such as crop fields, meadows, mountains, and roadsides. This species demonstrates a significant altitudinal tolerance, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL. Regarding its subterranean biological associations, the plant does not exhibit mycorrhizal dependencies, as it does not form mycorrhiza.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, meadows, mountains, roadsides

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Pastinaca sativa is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, typically spanning a lifespan of 2 years. As a therophyte, it completes its developmental stages through a distinct two-year progression, beginning with a period of vegetative growth and concluding with reproductive maturity. During its initial phase, the plant establishes itself as a hemicryptophyte, protecting its perennating buds at the soil surface. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle. In the first year, it focuses on developing a robust taproot and a rosette of leaves, while the second year is dedicated to the production of flowering structures before the plant eventually dies, following its complete reproductive cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Lifespan :

2

Morphology

The morphology of Pastinaca sativa is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically categorized as a herb and a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic species, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, its height is quite variable, with a minimum recorded height of 0.3 m, a mean height of approximately 3.53 m, and a maximum height that can reach up to 16 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

16 m

Plant height mean:

3.53333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pastinaca sativa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its metabolic strategy for carbon fixation. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake and does not possess the specialized mechanisms required for carnivory, nor does it function as a nitrogen fixer. The leaf morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, and leaf widths spanning from 2.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 149.145 cm², with an average leaf width of 10 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 329.33 cm²/g, which provides insight into its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies during growth.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf size mean:

149.145 cm²

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

329.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pastinacica sativa is characterized by a mono-carpous life cycle, meaning the plant flowers once before dying, with no asexual reproduction present. The flowering period typically occurs during the summer months, beginning in July and concluding in August. This reproductive process relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, which can occur through self-fertilization, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits typically measure a mean length of 0.525 cm (ranging from 0.5 to 0.6 cm) and a mean width of 0.5 cm (ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 cm). Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent length of 4 mm. The seeds are quite lightweight, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0039862 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.002 g to a maximum of 0.00608 g. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds is categorized as anemochorous, meaning they are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.525 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

4 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00608 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0039862 g

Seed mass min:

0.002 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pastinaca sativa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Pastinaca sativa has 102 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Furanocoumarins, Isopimpinellin, Myristicin.

Coumarins

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Flavonoids

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Furanocoumarins

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Isopimpinellin

1. Dr. Duke
2. MedChemComm

Myristicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

SODIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition

XANTHOTOXIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. ACS chemical neuroscience

3-Carene

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

5-Methoxy psoralen

1. Dr. Duke

5-alpha-androst-16-en-3-one

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pastinaca sativa has 569 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Antifungal

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Vasodilator

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Pastinaca sativa has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include CNS diseases, antioxidant, cardiovascular diseases, diuretic, gastrointestinal diseases.

Cns diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Antioxidant

1. Food science & nutrition

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Diuretic

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Laxative

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Listeriosis

1. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine

Liver diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Respiratory diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Skin diseases

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Preparations

Pastinaca sativa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts from fruits.

Ethanol extracts from fruits

1. Fitoterapia