Latest news with #wildparsnip
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
These folks are hunting down wild parsnip near UPEI — and yes, they have to dress like that
P.E.I's Invasive Species Council is trying to stop an invasive plant called wild parsnip from getting more of a foothold across the Island. The sap can lead to painful burns on your skin if it gets on you. The nasty weed is not too common in the province, and the council wants to keep it that way, as CBC's Connor Lamont learns.
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Islanders being asked to report sightings of toxic, skin-burning wild parsnip
New The invasive plant's sap can cause painful burns and blistering if you touch it Image | Wild parsnip 2 Caption: 'I've personally gotten a couple of burns from wild parsnip. It's not fun,' says Clay Cutting, an invasive species technician with the Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council. (CBC) The Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council is asking Islanders to keep an eye out for wild parsnip and report any sightings so it can safely remove the plant. Wild parsnip is an invasive plant often found along open areas such as trails and roadsides. Like many invasive species, it poses a threat to P.E.I.'s forest ecosystems, particularly along forest edges and in open spaces of a wooded area. While the plant's root is edible, its sap causes a chemical reaction on skin when it's exposed to the sun, resulting in weeping blisters and burns. "I've personally gotten a couple of burns from wild parsnip. It's not fun," said Clay Cutting, an invasive species technician with the council. "It does warrant, often, a trip to the hospital just to be sure, or at least a trip to your doctor. I had a consultation with an ophthalmologist and a dermatologist because I got it on my face." Cutting said doctors advised him to try using a hydrocortisone cream to treat the burns. Chase Guindon, the council's co-ordinator, added that anyone who comes into contact with the plant's sap should immediately move to a shaded area and wash the affected skin with water. How to identify the species Last week, people from the council joined staff from the City of Charlottetown to remove wild parsnip from a section of the Confederation Trail behind the University of Prince Edward Island. They had received a report from the province's Forests, Fish and Wildlife division that the plant was growing in that area. Image | Wild parsnip noxious plant Ottawa July 22 2015 Caption: Guindon says wild parsnip has bright yellow flowers, and flat-topped, almost umbrella-shaped flower heads that can catch people's attention along trails. (CBC) Open Image in New Tab Because of the plant's toxic sap, the team had to wear full chemical protective suits while digging out the plants. Guindon said it's especially important to remove wild parsnip from public spaces like trails, where people may unknowingly touch it while walking, running or biking. He said this member of the carrot family can be recognized by its bright yellow flowers and flat-topped, umbrella-shaped flower heads. It also has a grooved stem that's a bright lime green. Wild parsnip leaves are broad, twice as long as they are wide with toothlike serrations on the edges. The leaves are lower down on the plant. "You can see the leaves are a compound leaf, and each little leaflet on the compound leaf itself is almost a mitten shape. So it looks like it kind of has the finger area and then a little thumb coming off of it as well," he said. Guindon noted that the plant resembles Queen Anne's lace, but wild parsnip is larger and less delicate, and has yellow flowers instead of white. Record and report So far, Guindon said the plant has not spread widely across P.E.I.; the council is aware of only about 10 locations. But he said wild parsnip has the potential to spread quickly and out-compete native species that local wildlife depend on for food and shelter. The council encourages anyone who spots the plant to contact it by email or through Facebook, including photos, a description and location information. That way, staff can safely remove it. Islanders can also share sightings of wild parsnip through iNaturalist, an app that allows users to share photos and locations of plants and animals, helping researchers gather data for scientific and conservation purposes.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
3 plants to watch out for while outside in Ottawa this summer
Sap from wild parsnips can cause burns. Other side effects can include blindness if contact is made with the eyes but symptoms may not appear immediately. As you head out for a walk or a hike this summer, watch out for some plants that can turn a peaceful journey into a painful problem. Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis dropped by CTV Morning Live to discuss three plants to watch out for in Ottawa and eastern Ontario while outside – poison ivy, wild parsnip and giant hogweed. Poison Ivy Poison ivy is known for its ability to cause an itchy rash. According to Health Canada, it can grow on sandy, stony, or rocky shores, and sprouts in thickets, in clearings and along the borders of woods and roadsides. 'It's a weed; it's a vine, it can grow long, and we find it everywhere,' Dr. Roumeliotis said. 'It is three leaves on a stem. If you get into contact with it, the sap is very toxic. You can put it on your skin; 24 hours later, you'll have a red rash, an itchy rash.' The medical officer of health says symptoms will develop 24 to 48 hours after contact with the sap from poison ivy. The inflamed areas will develop blisters, which leads to intense itchiness, says Health Canada. Dr. Roumeliotis recommends washing any area of your skin with soap and water and use a calamine lotion. Poison Ivy leaves A dermatologist shares his advice on how to avoid getting a rash from contact with poison ivy this summer. (Eric Fleming / Wild parsnip Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that can cause harm to humans and animals if they come into contact with it. The plant secretes oils that can cause skin to burn and blister when exposed to sunlight. 'It's a wild plant. They are called parasitic plants, in other words, they actually are in fields, all over the place, meadows – wherever it's abandoned,' Dr. Roumeliotis said. 'They kind of take over other plants and it's not good for overall vegetation.' Dr. Roumeliotis says blisters can appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the sap from the wild parsnip. 'They have a sap in them and if you get in contact with the sap, basically it reacts with the sun. It's actually burning the skin.' According to the Ontario government, you should wear protective clothing and dispose of plants carefully if trying to remove small clusters of wild parsnip from your property. Wash the rubber gloves with soap and water and then take off your clothing. Dr. Roumeliotis says the important thing is to 'be aware' of wild parsnip to avoid contact. The City of Ottawa is spending $298,000 this year to deal with wild parsnip on municipal property. Wild parsnip examples Examples of the growth stages of the wild parsnip plant. (City of Ottawa/supplied) Giant Hogweed Dr. Roumeliotis says the giant hogweed is a relative to wild parsnip and can grow to five metres tall. 'Just like the wild parsnip, the giant hogweed sap is quite toxic,' Roumeliotis said. 'If you get into contact with it, put it in your eye, you can cause blindness or temporary loss of vision. It can cause blisters, burning and really bad things.' Roumeliotis said symptoms can occur within 48 hours and consists of 'painful blisters.' According to the Ontario government, giant hogweed has a scattered distribution from Manitoulin Island to Ottawa. 'About 10-12 years ago, we got some calls from the emergency room in my area, and they were telling us these kids came in with burns and burns in their eyes and burns all over and they had played with this big plant,' Roumeliotis said. 'We did some investigations, and it was the giant hogweed.' The Ontario government recommends hiring a professional exterminator to remove the giant hogweed from your property.
