Heracleum sphondylium L.

Erect biennial. Stems hispid, hollow, grooved, green to reddish brown, 60-150-(200) cm high. Basal lvs pinnately 3-foliolate or 1-pinnate with up to 9 leaflets, petiolate; leaflets densely hispidulous below, sparsely to moderately above, ternately or pinnately lobed and serrate, c. 5-20 cm long; lobes acute or obtuse; stem lvs similar to basal, more often pinnately 3-foliolate with reduced petiole; petiole usually tinged purple toward base. Umbels 5-20 cm diam.; rays 12-30; bracts 0-7, linear, 8-15 mm long; bracteoles c. 6, linear, up to 15 mm long. Fls numerous, white or tinged pink; outer fls irregular and up to 10 mm diam. Fr. glabrous, ovate-elliptic, light brown, 7-10 mm long; vittae conspicuous, 0.2-0.5 mm wide at base.

It is a temperate plant. It grows in open woodland and grassy banks. It is often along streams. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.

The young leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are also used in soup. The roots have been used as a condiment. The stems and seeds are used to make beer. The leaf stalks are tied in bundles and sun-dried and they exude a sugary substance eaten as a delicacy.

Plants can be grown from seed.