Cows Parsnip ~ Alaska’s Poison Ivy

I’m not sure if comparing the Cows Parsnip to Poison Ivy is completely fair. But since you do not find Poison Ivy in Alaska, it is one of the plantings to watch out for when enjoying nature.

But, it is a kind of vegetation found throughout south-central Alaska which can cause a reaction in some individuals.

When I first saw these growing, I was reminded of Queen Anne’s Lace.

I’ve always loved those delicate-looking plants we’d see on the roadside.

Cows parsnip is pretty like Queen Anne’s Lace. 

However, it also can cause a reaction akin to a burn for some individuals.

What Is Cows Parsnip?

Heracleum lanatum or Heracleum maximum are the specific names used for this perennial plant. 

You can find it throughout the Atlantic and Pacific coastal regions. It is quite common in southcentral Alaska.

This plant grows like a weed in many areas (including our wooded yard in Eagle River, Alaska.) 

It grows up to 7 feet tall with delicate white flower clusters on top.

The plants have serrated, palmate leaves that can be a foot in size.

Some animals, like moose, eat the leaves.

I’ve heard that some people forage for them, but I avoid it. You can even buy seeds to grow it!

Possible Reaction to Cows Parsnip

Even after warning the boys about it, we still ended up with a ‘casualty’ in the house. 

D thought the stalk would make a great sword and was wielding it while the other kids were exploring the hollowed-out tree at the Eagle River Nature Center last Friday.

The tricky thing about this plant is that the reaction is UV sensitive.

Both the stems and leaves contain furocoumarins. This is a photosensitive chemical that can lead to rash and blisters on some people after exposure to ultraviolet light.

So, we didn’t see anything on D until he spent some time out in the sun on Monday.

Thankfully, it isn’t bothering him much. 

And, the overcast weather makes the idea of wearing long sleeves more palatable.

The greater question for me is how to make sure we eradicate it from our back yard before Little J starts walking. 

I really hate to think about a toddler with these reactions.

What To Do Post Exposure?

Long sleeves to keep the sun off my son’s skin was a somewhat preventative measure once we knew he reacted to Cows Parsnip.

Using a calamine lotion helps with itching.

But, sometimes it can be more severe of a reaction.

An Alaskan hiker shared his experience with a more severe reaction to this plant with the Anchorage Daily News. His article includes steps taken to help manage the reaction. Warning…he includes photos of the reaction including boils.

Resources for Alaska Plants and Trees

Here are some titles for those interested in learning more about the plants and trees found in SouthCentral Alaska.

This post was originally published on  Jul 18, 2010 and has since been updated.