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Heracleum sphondylium sibiricum - (L.)Simonkai.

Common Name
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Many members of this genus contain furanocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties. This sub-species is said to be non-toxic[65].
Habitats Grassy places and rough ground.
Range N.E. to C. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Heracleum sphondylium sibiricum


Heracleum sphondylium sibiricum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Heracleum sphondylium sibiricum is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. flavescens. Blume. H. sibiricum. L.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses: Sweetener

Stem and young shoots - raw or cooked[5, 7, 9, 17]. Used as a green vegetable, when harvested just as they are sprouting from the ground they are somewhat like asparagus in flavour[183]. The rind is somewhat acrid[115]. A sweet substance resembling sugar forms on the dried stems[115]. A great delicacy[2, 183]. The peduncles, before flowering, can be eaten as a vegetable or added to soups[183]. Root[7]. No further details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aphrodisiac  Digestive  Expectorant  Sedative

The whole plant, harvested shortly before or at flowering time, is aphrodisiac, digestive, mildly expectorant and sedative[7, 9]. It is used in the treatment of laryngitis and bronchitis, though it can cause allergic dermatitis in some people[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil, doing best in moist soils or deep woodland[1]. This species contains a large number of sub-species. This sub-species is said to be free of toxic substances[65]. A good bee plant[108].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring or early autumn in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Heracleum lallii Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSNM02 
Heracleum moellendorfii Perennial1.0 -  LMHFSNM10 
Heracleum pubescensDowny Cow-ParsnipBiennial/Perennial0.8 -  LMHFSNM20 
Heracleum sphondyliumCow Parsnip, EltrotBiennial/Perennial1.8 4-8  LMHFSNM322
Heracleum sphondylium montanumCow ParsnipPerennial2.4 4-8  LMHFSNM322
Heracleum tuberosum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSNM20 
Heracleum wallichii Perennial0.6 -  LMHFSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Simonkai.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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Subject : Heracleum sphondylium sibiricum  
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