Wild parsnip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wild parsnip |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trachymene
|
| Species: |
incisa
|
The Wild Parsnip, also known by its scientific name Trachymene incisa, is a special plant that grows in eastern Australia. It's a type of plant called a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem like a tree. You can often find it in open areas and in sclerophyll forests, which are woodlands with tough, leathery-leaved plants. It especially likes sandy soil and rocky spots.
Discover the Wild Parsnip
This interesting plant can grow up to about 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) tall. It has a thick root system that helps it live for a long time. The plant can be a little bit hairy or almost smooth.
What the Wild Parsnip Looks Like
Most of the leaves grow from the bottom of the plant. They are usually deeply divided into 3 to 5 parts. These leaves can be between 1.4 and 6.5 centimeters long and 1.5 to 8 centimeters wide. They have long stems, up to 13 centimeters, that connect them to the main plant.
The flowers of the Wild Parsnip grow in clusters that look like umbrellas. Each tiny petal is about 0.9 to 2.2 millimeters long. They are usually white, but sometimes you might see them with a hint of pink. After the flowers, the plant produces small, broad, oval-shaped fruits. These fruits are brown and measure about 2.4 to 3.6 millimeters long.
How People Use Wild Parsnip
For a very long time, the roots of the Wild Parsnip have been an important traditional food for Indigenous Australians. They are a type of Bush tucker, which refers to native Australian foods. People would cook the roots by baking them in hot campfire coals or in special underground ovens called earth ovens. This made them soft and ready to eat.
