May 22: Golden Ragwort and Cow Parsnip

Here are two more flowers being kept in good stead at Fenner Nature Center by the Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter. The first is Golden Ragwort.

Golden Ragwort

Doesn't sound like a very nice name -- too much like ragweed. I wish I could say it's nothing like ragweed, but alas the flower is toxic and considered unsafe to put in your mouth or on your skin. However, it is very pretty and gardeners like it because it is deer resistant. Despite its toxicity, people still ingest it -- here's more info about that.

The next flower is Cow Parsnip. This plant is quite large -- I'm 5'6" and the blossom was at eye level.

Cow Parsnip

With a name like Cow Parsnip you'd think this plant would be good for cows. Not so. It is often found in pastures, but it ruins cow milk. That might be why it's considered "Endangered" in Kentucky and of "Special Concern" in Tennessee. In Michigan there is no such concern, and before the plant matures you can eat the young stalk and leafstems. You can also use the dried stems for drinking straws or make flutes out of them.