This is an introduced species which is only occasionally found, particularly in the South East of Ireland. It grows about 1 metre high and bears small, yellow flowers (1.5mm) in bractless umbels which have 5-15 uneven rays. Each flower has 5 petals which are rolled inwards. These umbels are borne on upright, hollow, angles, ridged stems and it is an altogether hairy plant. The leaves are alternate, pinnate and have 5-11 toothed, oval leaflets. The fruit is 2-parted, oval, flattened and winged. It blooms from June to September and belongs to the Apiaceae or Carrot family.
I first saw Wild Parsnip near Slade, Co Wexford in 2012 when on a BSBI Field Trip with Vice-county Recorder for Waterford & Wexford, Paul Green.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
