Known to be toxic - Toxic if ingested by mammals and can also cause dermatitis and skin ulceration if touched.
Source: miketilley
Heracleum maximum
American Cow Parsnip
Berce laineuse
Synonyms
common cow parsnip
cow parsnip
berce très grande
grande berce
poglus
No seeds available for this plant.
We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: Jun - Jul
Max Height: 8.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Biennial
plants that will take two years to bloom, and then will die
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Self-seeding
Does not spread uncontrollably
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
No landscape information available.
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant is septic tank safe
This plant causes skin rashes
This plant is septic tank safe
This plant causes skin rashes
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Taiga Plains
- Atlantic Maritime
- Boreal Plains
- Montane Cordillera
- Prairies
- Hudson Plains
- Taiga Cordillera
- Boreal Shield
- Boreal Cordillera
- Pacific Maritime
- Arctic Cordillera
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Heracleum maximum
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Heracleum maximum
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
- Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Double dormancy.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: August
- Harvesting indicator:
- Seeds are dark and dry, and easily fall off when you gently pull them off
- Harvesting:
- Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Toxic if ingested by mammals and can also cause dermatitis and skin ulceration if touched.