Wildflower of the valley
White-hairy Cow Parsnip
Heracleum candicans
- How easy to find
- Easy to see — you will see it easily on the trail
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Apiaceae (Carrot family)
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- 1–2 m
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering
- June to August
About White-hairy Cow Parsnip
Heracleum candicans is a herb of 1-2 m tall with 25 to 45 cm long pinnate leaves. Upper leaves are boat shaped. Flowers are white, small and stamens are 5. The specific name Candicans means white refers to its white flowers. and the genetic name Herakles refers to Hercules who used plant as a medicine.
Where to find it
- Along the trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria
- Near the entrance of the valley
- In the middle of the valley
- In the deeper parts of the valley
Habitat
In moist places, slopes and meadows.
What the name means
Heracleum honours Heracles (Hercules), who is said to have first used it medicinally; candicans means "shining white", after the woolly leaf undersides.
