Pastinaca

Pastinaca is a genus of flowering plants in the Apiaceae family, commonly known as pastinacas or parsnips. The group comprises a number of species native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa, with Pastinaca sativa being the best known. P. sativa, the common parsnip, is cultivated for its edible root, while other species occur as wild plants and can naturalize outside their native range.

Pastinaca species are herbaceous plants that are typically annual or biennial, though some can be perennial. They produce leaves that are often pinnate or deeply divided and bear yellow flowers arranged in umbrella-shaped inflorescences called umbels, a characteristic feature of the Apiaceae. The most familiar member, P. sativa, forms a large, elongated taproot that stores starch and is harvested for culinary use.

Native to temperate Europe and western Asia, pastinacas have been introduced and naturalized in many temperate regions. They commonly grow in meadows, fields, and disturbed habitats. While P. sativa is widely cultivated as a root vegetable, other species are mostly encountered as wild flora.

Uses and cultivation: The root of P. sativa is eaten as a vegetable, often sweeter after exposure to frost. Cultivation favors cool-season conditions with well-drained soil; plants are typically sown in spring or late winter and harvested in autumn or after frost, with roots stored for winter use. Other Pastinaca species are not widely used as food and are primarily of ecological or ornamental interest.

Safety and ecology: The sap of Pastinaca contains phototoxic compounds that can cause skin irritation (phytophotodermatitis) when exposed to sunlight after contact. The plants attract a variety of insects for pollination, and some species may behave as weeds in disturbed habitats.