• What is this plant at Headwaters Park?

    Question

    Went on the 7-mile hike around Headwaters Park June 2 and saw this plant. What is it? It's very large and there was only one.

    Naturalist's Response

    This plant is Great Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea). Its main characteristics are the large loose flower heads called an umbel and its purplish stem which is hollow. Another plant very similar that is blooming now is the cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), but it has a flat-topped flower head. These plants are fairly common and can grow in a wide variety of conditions but do prefer moist soil.

    -Naturalist Denise Wolfe