cow parsnip

Friendly

Word: Cow Parsnip

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Cow parsnip is a tall, coarse plant that has thick stems and clusters of white to purple flowers. It often grows in fields, along roadsides, and in damp areas.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use "cow parsnip" when talking about plants, gardening, or nature. It is a specific type of plant, so it is not commonly used in everyday conversation unless you are discussing plants or nature.
• How to use: You can say, "I saw a cow parsnip in the field," or "Be careful around cow parsnips; they can irritate your skin."

Example Sentence:

"I noticed a large cow parsnip growing near the river, and its white flowers were beautiful."

Advanced Usage:

In environmental discussions or botany, you might say, "Cow parsnip is a vital plant in its ecosystem, providing habitat for various insects."

Word Variants:

• Cowparsnip (alternative spelling, less common)
• Scientific name: Heracleum maximum

Different Meanings:

While "cow parsnip" primarily refers to the plant, the term does not have widely recognized different meanings in other contexts.

Synonyms:

• Giant hogweed (though this is a different plant, some people confuse these two because of their similar appearance)
• Heracleum (the genus name for cow parsnip)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related directly to "cow parsnip." However, you might encounter phrases like "to weed out" in gardening contexts, which means to remove unwanted plants, including cow parsnip if it's invasive.

Important Note:

Be cautious around cow parsnip, as its sap can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Academic

Noun

1. tall coarse plant having thick stems and cluster of white to purple flowers

Synonyms

• hogweed
• Heracleum sphondylium