Heracleum lanatum ( ex Michx.) Michx.

Robust, single-stemmed perennial 1–3 m, generally ± pubescent or even tomentose; lvs once ternate, with broad, petiolulate, coarsely toothed and palmately lobed lfls mostly 1–3(–4) dm long and wide, the lateral ones mostly narrower than the central and often asymmetrical; terminal umbel commonly 1–2 dm wide at anthesis, with mostly 15–30 rays; bracts 5–10, narrow, deciduous; fr on pedicels 8–20 mm, obovate to obcordate, 7–12 mm, often pubescent; 2n=22. Rich damp soil; Lab. to Alas. and Siberia, s. to Ga. and Ariz. June, July. (H. sphondylium ssp. montanum, as to Amer. plants; H. maximum)

It grows in subarctic America. It grows amongst willows and in sheltered hollows near alpine streams in the Rocky Mountains. It grows in moist ground.

The tender roots are cooked and eaten. The shoots and young leaves are eaten cooked and raw. The dried seeds are used as flavouring. They are also used for chutney and pickles. The leaf stalks must be peeled before being used as the peel contains a chemical that can make make skin sensitive to light and cause rashes. Caution: Similar looking plants can be poisonous.

Can be grown by seedlings.