Parsnip
species of plant, source of parsnip root vegetable
The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable.
| Parsnip | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Pastinaca |
| Species: | P. sativa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pastinaca sativa | |
The parsnip is native to Eurasia; it has been used as a vegetable since antiquity. It was cultivated by the Romans. It was used as a sweetener before the arrival in Europe of cane sugar.
The plant is closely related to carrot and parsley; all belong to the family Apiaceae. Its long, tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh. Left in the ground to mature, it becomes sweeter in flavor after winter frosts.[2]
References
change- ↑ "Pastinaca sativa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ↑ Rubatsky V.E. et al 1999. Carrots and related vegetable Umbelliferae. CABI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85199-129-0