Heracleum persicum

Heracleum persicum
Flower and leaf
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Heracleum
Species:	H. persicum
Binomial name
Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisch.

Distribution of Persian hogweed in Europe

Heracleum persicum, commonly known as Persian hogweed or simply hogweed,Golpar گلپر , is a polycarpic perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the carrot family Apiaceae, originally native to the region of Iran (Persia). It grows wild in humid mountainous regions in Iran, as well in some adjacent areas. As a spice, its common name in English is 'angelica,' although Heracleum species are distinct from the related genus Angelica.^[1] Having been introduced in the 1830s, it has spread across Scandinavia. It is now very common in northern Norway, where it is known as the Tromsø palm.^[2] The plant has also been spotted in Sweden.^[3] In Finland, it has been declared as invasive species.^[4]

Persian hogweed is a polycarpic perennial,^[5][6] that is, a mature plant flowers and bears fruit season after season.

Invasiveness status[]

In Europe, Persian hogweed is included since 2016 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list).^[7] This implies that this species cannot be imported, cultivated, transported, commercialized, planted, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union.^[7]

Uses[]

Food uses[]

The seeds are used as a spice in Persian cooking. The very thin, small seed pods are aromatic and slightly bitter. They are usually sold in powdered form and are often erroneously sold as "angelica seeds". The powder is sprinkled over broad beans, lentils and other legumes, and potatoes. Golpar is also used in soups and stews. It is often used sprinkled over pomegranate arils.^[8] Golpar is also mixed with vinegar into which broad beans are dipped before eating.^{[citation needed]}

Golpar can be used in small amounts (1 or 2 tsp per pound) when cooking beans to reduce the effect of gas in the digestive tract associated with consuming beans.^{[9][failed verification][dubious – discuss]}

Ground golpar (H. persicum) seeds

In Persian cuisine, the petals are used in the spice mixture advieh to flavor rice dishes, as well as in chicken, Fish and bean dishes.^{[citation needed]}

The tender leaves and leaf stalks can also be pickled (known as golpar torshi).^{[citation needed]}

Public health and safety[]

The sap of the Tromsø palm contains furanocoumarins, which in combination with ultraviolet light, leads to phytophotodermatitis.^[6] There is some anecdotal evidence that H. persicum may be less dangerous than H. mantegazzianum with respect to phototoxicity.^[1]

Control measures[]

Known ways to fight Tromsø palm are the constant cutting of new shoots. When cutting down, protective equipment is recommended, and metal cutting tools should be cleaned after use because the juice is oxidizing.^{[citation needed]}

See also[]

• Heracleum, the genus
• Other tall invasive Heracleum species: Heracleum mantegazzianum and Heracleum sosnowskyi
• Non-invasive Heracleum species: Heracleum sphondylium and Heracleum maximum
• Species that can be mistaken for Heracleum persicum:^[5] wild parsnip, garden angelica, wild angelica

References[]

External links[]

• Analysis of the Oil of Heracleum persicum L. (seeds and stems)
• Heracleum persicum, Heracleum glabrescens (in Persian)
• Sajjadi, S. E.; Noroozi, P. (2007). "Isolation and identification of xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen) from the fruits of Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fischer". Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. April 2007 (2): 13–16. Retrieved 15 June 2016.^{[permanent dead link]}