Daucus decipiens
Daucus decipiens, the parsnip palm, black parsley, tree angelica, or non-stinging hogweed, is a species of plant in the family Apiaceae.
Description
A large plant that grows with a spreading crown and a woody stem, like a New Zealand cabbage tree. It flowers from November to January in the Southern hemisphere.The seeds can live for up to a year. The species is biennial or perennial.
Full description
Erect biennial or perennial. Stems up to 2 m high and 4 cm diam., woody and leafless in lower parts with distinct lf scars, with pith in centre and hollow in parts. Stem lvs with fine hairs on rachis and midribs, otherwise glabrous, 2–3-pinnate ; ultimate segments ovate to lanceolate, pinnatisect or not lobed, serrate, 15–20 mm long, shortly petiolulate or sessile; lvs of infl.-branches much reduced; petiole sparsely to moderately hairy, striate. Umbels up to 20 cm diam.; rays numerous; bracts 10–12, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, sometimes serrate, up to 5 cm long; bracteoles 7–12, lanceolate. Fls numerous, white to purplish. Fr. dark brown, sparsely hairy, 12–18 mm long.
Taxonomy
This plant was previously described as ''Melanosilenum decipiens.''Range
, Portugal.Introduced to Great Britain, and to New Zealand in 1969. It is considered an invasive pest in the Wellington area, and is in both the North and South Islands.