Handle Wild Parsnip With Care

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

A plant commonly found throughout the northern United States and southern Canada. Have you seen Wild Parsnip growing along roadways at this time of the year in your area?

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is flowering now. From a distance, it might resemble dill plants growing wild.

It also resembles Queen Anne’s Lace (which is white flowered as shown below) but otherwise very similar and in the same family. Here is a picture showing both plants flowering and growing together along the roadside.

Wild Parsnip is a biennial producing a rosette of foliage the first year, and the next year it bolts and gets up to four feet or so when it flowers. If you were to cut the plants, the sap is toxic and it becomes very irritating in the presence of sunlight and can cause severe blistering of your skin. Please be very careful if you are in the presence of these plants. Soon after they bloom, they melt away in the landscape leaving lots of seeds for next year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify wild parsnip before it spreads in my yard or garden?

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a biennial weed that forms a low rosette of foliage in its first year, then bolts to around four feet tall the following year when it produces clusters of yellow flowers that resemble dill or yellow-flowered Queen Anne's Lace. It is commonly found along roadsides and disturbed areas throughout the northern United States and southern Canada, and it blooms in early to mid summer before quickly dropping seeds and dying back. If you spot it, do not cut or handle it without full protective clothing, as the sap causes severe skin blistering when exposed to sunlight. Remove plants carefully before they go to seed to prevent next year's spread, and always wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when working near them.

How do I safely handle wild parsnip without getting a chemical burn?

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) produces a toxic sap that causes severe blistering when exposed to sunlight, a reaction known as phytophotodermatitis. If you must handle or remove these plants, wear long sleeves, waterproof gloves, and eye protection to prevent any sap contact with your skin. Work during overcast conditions or in the early morning when UV exposure is lower to reduce your risk. If sap does contact your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately and keep it covered from sunlight for at least 48 hours.

Can wild parsnip cause skin irritation or blisters on contact?

Yes, wild parsnip can cause severe skin reactions, but the danger comes specifically from contact with the plant's sap rather than a simple touch. When the sap gets on your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it triggers a chemical reaction that can result in serious blistering and intense irritation. This is especially important to know when working near roadsides in the northern United States and southern Canada, where wild parsnip commonly grows and blooms each summer. If you need to remove these plants, always wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection, and avoid handling them on sunny days when the risk of phototoxic reaction is highest.

Can you eat wild parsnip, and is it safe to forage?

Wild parsnip is technically related to the edible garden parsnip, but foraging it is strongly discouraged due to serious safety risks. The plant's sap is phototoxic, meaning contact with it followed by sun exposure can cause severe blistering and chemical burns on your skin. This danger is especially high when cutting or bruising the plant, which releases the toxic sap. If you encounter wild parsnip growing along roadsides, wear long sleeves, gloves, and avoid handling it altogether.

Does wild parsnip grow best in full sun or partial shade?

Wild parsnip thrives in full sun and is commonly found along open roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas throughout the northern United States and southern Canada. As a biennial, it spends its first year as a low rosette before bolting to around four feet tall in its second year when it flowers. If you encounter this plant, avoid cutting or handling it without protective clothing, as the sap causes severe skin blistering when exposed to sunlight.

How do I control wild parsnip in a landscape bed without spreading it further?

Wild parsnip is best controlled before it flowers and sets seed, ideally in early summer when plants are in the rosette stage or just beginning to bolt. Because the sap causes severe skin blistering when exposed to sunlight, always wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection before handling or cutting any part of the plant. Bag and dispose of cut material rather than composting it, and avoid working with the plants on sunny days when phototoxic reactions are most intense. For established populations, repeated removal of plants before they reach the four-foot flowering stage will gradually exhaust the seed bank over two to three seasons.

When is the best time to remove wild parsnip from my property?

The best time to remove wild parsnip is during its first-year rosette stage, before it has a chance to bolt, flower, and set seed in its second year. If plants have already reached the flowering stage and grown to their full height of up to four feet, act quickly before seeds mature and drop, as this will multiply your problem significantly for the following season. Always wear thick gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when handling this plant, since its sap causes severe blistering when exposed to sunlight. Bag and dispose of all plant material rather than composting it, and wash any exposed skin immediately if contact occurs.

How do I dispose of wild parsnip safely after cutting it down?

When cutting wild parsnip, protect yourself fully by wearing long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection, as the sap causes severe blistering when exposed to sunlight. Work in the early morning or on overcast days to reduce your UV exposure risk. Place cut material directly into heavy-duty trash bags without letting sap contact your skin, and dispose of it in the trash rather than composting, since the plant sets abundant seed that will germinate next season. Bag and seal your clothing afterward and wash it immediately to avoid transferring sap.

Should I deadhead or cut back wild parsnip to stop it from reseeding?

We strongly advise against cutting or deadheading wild parsnip without full protective gear, as the plant's sap is highly toxic and causes severe skin blistering when exposed to sunlight. If you are determined to prevent reseeding, act before the flowers fully mature, and wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection to avoid any sap contact. The safest approach for most homeowners is to contact your local cooperative extension service or a licensed applicator to handle removal, as this plant spreads aggressively and requires careful management.

How do I protect myself and my family when working around wild parsnip?

When working around wild parsnip, cover all exposed skin with long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection, as the plant's sap causes severe blistering when exposed to sunlight. This phototoxic reaction can occur even from brief contact, so never handle the plants without full protective gear. If sap does contact your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately and keep it covered from sunlight. The safest approach is to remove wild parsnip in early spring before it flowers, working in the early morning or evening when UV exposure is lower to reduce your risk of a reaction.