Outdoor Hour Challenge
Cow Parsnip Nature Study – from the Wildflower Set #2
Inside Preparation:
- Learn all you can about this interesting plant that is common in North America (Heracleum maximum). USDA Cow Parsnip (range) and Cow Parsnip—Herculeum.
- This website has awesome images and lots of information: Cow Parsnip.
- Use the chart on page 7 of the ebook to look up cow parsnip in the suggested resources.
Outdoor Hour Time:
Look for cow parsnip in moist soil in meadows, along streams, and along roads. Look in full sun or partial shade. Bloom time is anywhere from February through September.
- This plant is easy to identify once you study its traits. Use the observation suggestions in this challenge to make a careful examination of the cow parsnip.
- Advanced study: Look for the anise swallowtail butterfly near your cow parsnip since it is the host plant for the larvae.
Follow-Up Activity:
- Create a nature journal entry using the suggestions in the ebook if you have access to it. There is a custom notebook page and coloring page in the ebook for you to use if you wish.
- Start a parsley family notebook page and add any plants you observe in this family to the list over time.
- Advanced study: Research the origin of the Latin name for this plant.
- Advanced study: Learn abut the relationship between the Anise swallowtail butterfly and the cow parsnip.
How do you get the new Wildflower Nature Study ebook?
Members of the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey levels have access to the new ebook in their library. You need to click the “Members Area” button at the top of the website, sign into your account, and the ebook is there to download and save for your family to use when desired. If you don’t have a membership yet, I am offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.
If you are looking for a variety of wildflower, weed, and garden flower notebooking pages to use in your nature journal, I highly recommend this set from NotebookingPages.com. I have used them with my own family in the past and love them. Please note I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com and I will receive a small commission if you eventually purchase any of their products after clicking the link above.