Prairie Parsley

Description:

Prairie Parsley is a biennial (lives two years, only flowers the 2nd year). Sometimes it is recognized as a perennial. It is most conspicuous in the months of April and May of the second year during its rapid growth and flowering period. This herb (forb) is very common along road rights-of-way and prairies in the southern, central and eastern portions of the state, but is uncommon in the “true” piney woods of deep east Texas. Polytaenia is normally from 2-4 feet in height. During spring and early summer, the vegetative portion of the plant appears to be yellowish in color. The flowers are compound umbels and are yellow. The seeds are flat, somewhat resembling rolled oats.

Habitat:

Meadow near Lake Lewisville.

Notes:

It is in the parsley family and is a larval host plant for Black Swallowtails.