Parsnip
Family Umbelliferae (or Apiaceae)
Pastinaca sativa, the parsnip (P. sativa 1), is a biennial herb, 30-150 cm tall, with a hollow stem, pinnate leaves and small yellow flowers in compound umbels (P. sativa 2) (P. sativa 4). The long, swollen, fleshy cream-coloured taproots (P. sativa 3) are used as a vegetable.
Distribution
Parsnip occurs wild in Europe and Asia, and was known already to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The type with the light fleshy root was probably developed in the Middle Ages.
Use
Parsnip is grown in many temperate countries for the sweet tasting taproots, which are eaten as a vegetable or used in stews and soup. Until the arrival of the potato, the parsnip was the most important food crop in Europe. Because of its long growing season, there is little cultivation left.