Woodland parsnip, Thaspium
Thaspium trifoliatum

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

Thaspium trifoliatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Rocky upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, upland oak savannas, woodland borders and openings, prairies, streambanks, and roadsides.

Native to eastern North America from Minnesota to New York south to Texas and Florida with concentrations found in the Mississippi River valley.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects. Insectory The nectar and pollen of the maroon flowers attract primarily flies and beetles such as dance flies (Empis loripedis). The caterpillars of two butterflies, Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of Thaspium trifoliatum (Meadow Parsnip). An aphid, Aphis thaspii, sucks juices from the umbels of the flowers. Woodland or native US plant gardens.

How it is grown

A long-lived Perennial in the parsley family. Prefers full sun to light shade, mesic (environment or habitat containing a moderate amount of moisture) to dry-mesic conditions, and practically any kind of soil, including those that contain clay-loam and rocky material. preferred Soil pH: 5.0 - 5.5. Bloom Time: May to July. Bloom Color: Yellow or Purple (depending on variety). Flower: Showy. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down. Thaspium trifoliatum has two varieties - var. trifoliatum, which has dark maroon flowers, and aureum, which has golden yellow flowers.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Smooth Meadow Parsnip, Woodland Meadow Parsnip, Yellow Meadow Parsnip, Purple Meadow Parsnip.

Synonyms

T. trifoliata L. T. trifoliatum var. trifoliatum