Parsnip
Yellow-umbelled plant of roadsides and meadows flowering in midsummer; its exposed nectar and pollen make it a moderate summer source for bees.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,5-1,5 m
- Life cycle
- Biennial
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Parsnip is a biennial that grows in Europe and western Asia along roadsides, in meadows and on abandoned fields; the cultivated form grown for its root belongs to the same species. In its first year the plant forms a rosette of leaves, and in its second year it sends up a flowering stem. Nectar is secreted openly in the yellow umbels; honey bees and many other insects benefit. Its nectar and pollen contribution is moderate.
Flowering
From June to August, for about 6-8 weeks.
Honey and pollen
There is no monofloral honey; it contributes to mixed summer honey.
Note for the beekeeper
The sap contains furanocoumarins; on skin exposed to the sun it can cause burn-like blisters. Wear gloves when mowing weeds around the hives. Cultivated plots left to flower for seed production form an extra source for bees. It is invasive in North America.