White Fringe Tree vs Cow Parsnip - TreeTime.ca

White Fringe Tree vs Cow Parsnip

Heracleum maximum

Chionanthus virginicus

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Cow Parsnip
White Fringe Tree

Cow Parsnip is a native perennial plant that grows tall with very large leaves and broad clusters of white flowers. It grows quickly, providing quick cover in disturbed areas.
Its flowers are large and plentiful, providing nectar and pollen for bees, flies, and butterflies. Its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. The young shoots of the plant are edible, but care must be taken as the sap of this plant can cause skin irritation (see below).
Note: The sap of the Cow Parsnip can cause phytodermatitis when exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight). This can cause rashes or even burns. Care should be taken if pruning or handling this plant.

White Fringe Tree is known for its fringe-like white flowers. It can either grow as a small tree or a large multistemmed shrub. The White Fringe Tree has separate male and female plants. Both male and female flowers have white fringe-like petals, but the male flowers are longer and showier. The female flowers give way to clusters of dark blue to black berries. These berries are not edible for humans but attract birds and other wildlife.

The White Fringe Tree is tolerant of clay soils, saline soils, and air pollution but does not do well in prolonged dry conditions.

Cow Parsnip Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: sap causes skin irritation

Foliage: very large, palmate leaves
Flowers: large clusters of white flowers
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: blue to black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: american cow parsnip, common cow parsnip
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree