Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Wild Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa

Typically in season from September to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Photo: John Barkla · CC BY

When Wild Parsnip is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak September to November. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Wild Parsnip is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

Take Wild Parsnip into the field

Open Wild Parsnip in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Wild Parsnip: common questions

When is Wild Parsnip in season?

Wild Parsnip is generally in season from September to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Wild Parsnip grow?

Wild Parsnip is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

Is Wild Parsnip safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits