Heracleum flavescens
Baumg.
Yellow cow parsnip
ApiaceaeLeaves
gbif · cc-by-sa
GBIF
GBIF
gbif · cc-by-sa
GBIF
GBIF
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves ?
The plant is used as food and to prepare a spirit called 'raka'.
How to Identify
A temperate herb in the Apiaceae family.
Medicinal Uses
Borscht derives from an ancient soup originally cooked from pickled stems, leaves and umbels of common hogweed. The young shoots are considered excellent eating by many foragers. In eastern European countries and especially Romania, H. sphondylium is used as an aphrodisiac and to treat gynecological and fertility problems and impotence. It is also sometimes recommended for epilepsy. However, there are no clinical studies to prove its efficacy at treating any of these problems. The seeds can be dried and used as a spice, with a flavour similar to that of cardamom.
References (1)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 341
