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SPECIES CHARACTER Description The thick taproot of the wild parsnip is long, conic, and fleshy. Branching from the fleshy root is the light green, hollow, deeply-grooved stem that stands erect at 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 meters) tall. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, and branched with saw-toothed edges. Another site describing chemicals that are used to control poison parsnip. The common chemicals are 2, 4-D and Round UP, which could be interesting to test on the seeds.

This site tells about some chemicals used to control poison parsnip as well as some general information about the site.

This site details the poison parsnip growth process and the effects it can have on skin afflicted by it under sunlight. It also discusses the invasiveness of the species.

This site informs people of the potential harm this plant (Poison Parsnip) can cause when exposed to sunlight, and the cautionary measures people can take to avoid direct contact with this plant.

I used this site for research on the concept of solarization, to consider the possibility of it effecting poison parsnip seeds, so that they could possibly be made ineffective by destruction using heat. This site discusses the effects solarization can have on soilborne pathogens, weeds, beneficial microbes, and plant nutrients. Many people seeking to rid their gardens or certain areas of weeds or invasive species choose to use this technique, as it is better for the soil, doesn't leave residual chemicals in the soil, and solarization actually helps the soil become more fertile and accommodating, so that beneficial microbes can repopulate quicker, and the nutrients the soil yields are better. The site also gives people a general idea of how long this process (solarization) can take, and how to carry it out: moisturized soil is cleared of debris, a tarp placed on top of the soil in a time of year where temperatures can superheat the soil, and then left for around 2-4 weeks to kill all plant life and bacteria/pathogens under the tarp, so the soil is left fertile. This technique reminds me of how farmers used to burn their crops to ensure more fertile soil and the plants growing back healthier. It shares the same idea, but unlike with fire, this technique doesn't damage the soil and takes less time for the plant life to recover. This is an interesting idea, and I had heard of solarization before I began studying it, but I never understood exactly what it was good for. I will be able to use this site, if only to study the effects of solarization and possibly draw a connection to poison parsnip. This is a reliable education site, and it will be helpful for something to consider while I write my experimental procedure and begin my experiment.

Botanical Dermatology PHYTOPHOTODERMATITIS Phytophotodermatitis connotes phototoxic reactions consisting of erythema (with or without blistering) and delayed hyperpigmentation. Phototoxicity implies an immediate or delayed inflammatory reaction caused by the combination of a topical or oral photosensitizing agent followed by the appropriate wavelength of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to the skin.37 This response can occur in any person who has been exposed to adequate amounts of a photosensitizing chemical and UVR. This discussed the reaction between skin and the oils of any plant like parsnip

This site also discussed the process of solarization. However, the site was centered more on the destruction of pests in the soil. I believe, though, that the same procedures used for extinguishing the pests could be used on seeds. One idea that intrigued me was the idea that a small container can be solarized, with plastic tarp on top, as I didn't really think of using a small container to solarize plants. As my plot of soil with the parsnip plant is very small, I don't think actually solarizing it would do anything, but as a possible alternative to my procedure of baking the seeds, if I had more time I could have solarized them in a small container. I could still do that, as a back-up to my procedure, with the remaining soil and seeds, and see how it affects the seeds, if I have sufficient time. Aside from this small bit of information, and a repeat of the instructions of how to do solarization of your own, I don't think I will use this site very often. The only good information it had was the information mentioned above. However, it is also a reliable educational source, and as such, it will most likely contain reliable information, as compared to a non-educational site.

This was more of the same information, but it also discussed the mortality rate of the plant, and it's fairly surprising, as only 1% of the seeds survive to adulthood.