Cow-Parsnip

Eight feet tall, bearing large compound umbels or white flowers on leafy hairy stem with large palmate leaves. Native American tribes had many different uses for this plant. A common use was to make poultices to be applied to bruises or sores. In addition, young stalks and leaf stems were used for food, where the outer skin was peeled off giving a sweet flavor. The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, and to make flutes for children.