03 Jul Not A Weed Wednesday – Heart-leaved Alexanders
Heart Leaved Alexanders/Meadow Parsnip (Zizia aptera)
Heart-leaved alexanders can be identified by its toothed, heart shaped basal leaves, stem leaves which are also toothed but divided into three parts and its bright yellow flat-topped umbel flower. Heart-leaved alexanders is tolerant of alkaline soils and can be found in many areas of the province including moist areas within the Special Areas.
Most plant guides indicate this species is palatable – even of fair forage value for cattle – but no human consumption usages of the plant are recorded. This is likely because heart-leaved alexanders is in the parsnip family which contains some of the most toxic plants in our country. Playing botanical roulette with the parsnip family is never a good idea and experimenting with heart-leaved alexanders is not recommended.
Contact a Special Areas Rangeland Agrologist for more information on optimal range health and grazing on native grasslands.
