Cow parsnip and many of its relatives produce powerful chemical substances as protection. The best known are furanocoumarins, which seem to defend the plant against fungi and perhaps other consumers.

"You can end up with third degree burns." Experts issue warning over aggressive spread of toxic plant that can burn skin: ...

Neither the water parsnip nor water hemlock have the characteristic maple-like leaves as seen on the cow parsnip. Growing so thick and tall now, they appear as though they will last for a long time.

Cow parsnip mostly attracts pollinators like bees, who can use all the help gardeners care to offer. One year, Derek said, he stuck his nose and a camera into one of the wide white spreads of ...