The Hairy-Joint Meadow-Parsnip is a perennial wildflower in the Apiaceae (Carrot) family native to central and eastern USA and in most areas of NC, except the eastern counties. It is named from stiff hairs at the stem branches on most plants although they are not easy to see unless you know exactly where to look. The Hairy-Joint Meadow-Parsnip will tolerate dry to moist conditions but prefers moist soil. It can be grown in sand, loam and slightly rocky soil of any pH. It is found in moist forested areas, and along streams and ponds and occasionally prairies in full sun to partial shade although shade will impact its growth and number of blooms. Bloom time is in spring to early summer with light yellow flowers occurring in clusters that attract many pollinators. Propagation is by seed although seeds typically are not widely dispersed. It is used in naturalized areas, pollinator gardens, along streams and ponds and native gardens. Quick ID: Leaves look like Italian (flat leaf) parsley There are stiff hairs at the stem branches
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth; Soft
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Large compound leaves are alternate and tend to be near the base of the plant. 2-3 Leaflets have medium to large coarsely toothed edges and are 1-2 inches long and .5- 1 inch across resembling flat leaf parsley. A few smaller leaves occur up the stem, gradually reduce in size. Surfaces are minutely hairy, especially along the veins and around the edges.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms from April to June. The flowers are in flat-topped umbels (clusters) 2 to 3 inches wide, in 8 to 20 groups of up to 20 flowers each. Individual flowers are all stalked, about 1/8 inch across with 5 yellow petals that fold inward and 5 yellow stamens. There is no noticeable scent.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Displays from July to August. Oblong seeds are 1/4 in. long and ripen to dark brown. Seeds typically are not widely dispersed. When the dead stems drop, it can be seen that most of the fruits remain attached to the plant.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Light green to reddish-purple stout stems with hairs at the stem branches. Otherwise smooth.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and central North America
Distribution
AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
Wildlife value
This plant supports Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) larvae which appear between April and October and have one to two flights in the north or three flights in the south. Adult Black Swallowtail butterflies feed on flower nectar from thistles, milkweed and red clover.