Plant Identification Learning Module:
Vegetables

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

The edible portion is a long, smooth, tapering, yellowish-white, carrot-shaped root. The foliage is deep green, with pinnately compound leaves similar in size and shape to flat-leaf parsley. The margins of the leaflets are coarsely toothed. The flower is a yellow umbel. Seeds are round, flat, papery thin and brown to tan in color.


The edible roots of the parsnip
View of parsnip from the top with foliage
Purdue

Foliage of parsnip
National Junior Horticulture Association

Flower of parsnip
(cc) 2007 Magnus Manske. This photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5.

Seeds of parsnip
Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database