Keep your eyes pealed for a dangerous plant as you travel the trails and roads this weekend.
A new dangerous plant has been identified by the MNR in our region called Giant Hogweed.
The plant looks a lot like Queen Anne’s Lace but grows much taller and unlike other common Canadian weeds, Hogweed is considered very dangerous if your skin come into contact with it.
It grows basically everywhere from roadsides to swamps, and has numerous clusters of small white flowers that form an umbrella like structure anywhere from a few centimeters to a meter wide cap on top of a thick woody stem.
The MNR says stay away from it at all costs, and call them or weed experts to remove the plant because of the extreme health hazards of getting Giant Hogweed sap on your skin.
If you come into contact with it, rinse your skin with water immediately and stay out of the sun as the poison from the bristles on the plant makes your skin ultra sensitive to light.
Exposure can result in severe skin burns, blisters, and rashes, even blindness or death in serious cases.
Report all Giant Hogweed and other invasive species sightings to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters/Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources:
Invading Species Hotline
1-800-563-7711
or visit www.invadingspecies.com
More on Giant Hogweed HERE
