''Thaspium trifoliatum'', commonly called meadow-parsnip
[ or purple meadow-parsnip]Apiaceae
Apiaceae () or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus ''Apium,'' and commonly known as the celery, carrot, or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering p ...
). It is native to eastern North America where it is found in many eastern U.S states (excluding the region of New England
New England is a region consisting of six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York (state), New York to the west and by the ...
) and in Ontario, Canada.[ It has a broad natural habitat, which includes mesic to dry forests and woodlands, prairies, bluffs, and rock outcrops.][
]
Description
''Thaspium trifoliatum'' is an herbaceous perennial
In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...
growing tall. It has a few basal leaves that are about across and heart-shaped. Stem leaves are alternate and trifoliate
The following terms are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (that is, the leaf blade or 'lamina' is undivided) or compound (that is, the leaf blade is divided into two or more leaflets ...
, with 3 lanceolate
The following terms are used to describe leaf plant morphology, morphology in the description and taxonomy (biology), taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (that is, the leaf blade or 'lamina' is undivided) or compound (that is, the leaf blade ...
to ovate-lanceolate leaflets measuring long.[ The leaflets are finely serrate with a notably white-translucent margin.][
The ]inflorescence
In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...
is a compound, flat umbel
UMBEL (Upper Mapping and Binding Exchange Layer) is a logically organized knowledge graph of 34,000 concepts and entity types that can be used in information science for relating information from disparate sources to one another. It was retired ...
with very small flowers at the end of the upper stems. The flower at the center of the umbel is slightly higher than the others.[
The yellow-flowered variety of ''Thaspium trifoliatum'' bears a striking resemblance to '' Zizia aptera'', with which it is frequently misidentified when not in fruit.][ ''Thaspium trifoliatum'' can be distinguished by its glabrous stem internodes (as opposed to minutely puberulent), and pedicelled central umbellet flower (as opposed to sessile).][ Maroon-flowered populations are more easily recognized as ''Zizia aptera'' is strictly yellow.
]
Taxonomy
Two varieties have often been recognized. However, some botanists have expressed uncertainty on which characters should be used to distinguish them, or even if they should be taxonomically recognized at all.[ The most widely used differentiation is based on solely flower color:
* ''Thaspium trifoliatum'' var. ''aureum'' Flowers yellow. Widespread throughout much of eastern North America.
* ''Thaspium trifoliatum'' var. ''trifoliatum'' Flowers maroon. Found primarily from the ]Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain ...
eastward, with disjunct populations westward in the Ozark Mountains
The Ozarks, also known as the Ozark Mountains, Ozark Highlands or Ozark Plateau, is a physiographic region in the U.S. states of Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, as well as a small area in the southeastern corner of Kansas. The Ozarks cover ...
.
Ecology
''T. trifoliatum'' is a food source for caterpillars of the black swallowtail ('' Papilio polyxenes'') and Ozark swallowtail ('' Papilio joanae'') butterflies.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15597571
Apioideae