Missouri Goldenrod vs Cow Parsnip

Missouri Goldenrod is a native perennial wildflower known for its brilliant golden yellow flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. The flower heads contain hundreds of tiny blossoms that attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Fully opened flowers can also be used to make tea. As the season progresses, the flowers give way to fluffy seed heads, providing food for birds.

It can spread readily through its roots and self-seeding, this make Missouri Goldenrod well suited for hard-to-grow areas. This vigorous growth habit makes it an excellent choice for large planting areas, wildflower gardens, naturalized projects, prairie restoration, and erosion control.

As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

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.

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