Although it is palatable to cattle when the plant is young, the dried mericarps of the species can cause injury to livestock. Heracleum A cosmopolitan family of 300 genera and 3000 species with the greatest diversity in the north temperate zone. Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees. Leaves alternat or all basal, simple to variously lobed or compound, estipulate with petioles sheathing and internal oil tubules resulting in strongly scented plants. Inflorescence of compound umbels.
Flowers perfect, regular or irregular.
Sepals 5, small, often very reduced and apparently absent, distinct. Petals 5 or 0 and distinct. Stamens 5 and distinct. Fruit a schizocarp with two mericarps, often strongly ribbed, sometimes winged or samaroid or covered with tubercles or prickles. Many members of the family have significant economic importance.