Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum

(L.) Simonk.

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves 45,031 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Heracleum sphondylium, commonly known as hogweed or common hogweed, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the carrot family Apiaceae, which includes fennel, cow parsley, ground elder and giant hogweed. It is native to most of Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, but is introduced in North America and elsewhere. Other common names include cow parsnip (not to be confused with Heracleum maximum of North America). The flowers provide a great deal of nectar for pollinators.

Description

A herbaceous plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) found in temperate regions, historically used as a famine food.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten.

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.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ital, Latvia, Macedonia, Norway, Romania, Russia,