Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is in the carrot family family (Apiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,068 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Wild Parsnip: observations by month (U.S.)
About Wild Parsnip
The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable closely related to the carrot and parsley. It is a biennial plant usually grown as an annual. Its long, tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh; and left in the ground to mature, it becomes sweeter in flavor after winter frosts. In its first growing season, the plant has a rosette of pinnate, mid-green leaves. If unharvested, it produces its flowering stem, topped by an umbel of small...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Wild Parsnip by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 399 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 127 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 106 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Minnesota | 73 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 65 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 55 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Ohio | 45 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Iowa | 38 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 31 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 22 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | July | May–Aug |
| North Carolina | 16 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 14 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 12 | May | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 11 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Missouri | 10 | June | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 9 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 6 | June | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (carrot family)
Wild Carrot
Poison Hemlock
Harbinger of Spring
Common Cowparsnip
golden Alexanders
Purple Sanicle
Aniseroot
Pacific Sanicle
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Wild Parsnip?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Wild Parsnip most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, New York, Wisconsin.