Another of Yahweh's awesome creations: Invasive species - Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a perennial plant and a member of the carrot family. It is a garden ornamental from southwest Asia that is naturalizing in North America and becoming more common in southern and central Ontario. Giant Hogweed has the potential to spread readily and grows along roadsides, ditches and streams. It invades old fields and native habitats such as open woodlands.
The clear watery sap of Giant hogweed contains toxins that can cause
severe dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). You can get severe burns
if you get the sap on your skin and the skin is then exposed to
sunlight. Symptoms occur within 48 hours and consist of painful
blisters. Purplish scars may form that last for many years. Eye contact
with the sap has been reported (in the media and by various web sites)
to cause temporary or permanent blindness. However, evidence of
permanent blindness linked to exposure to Giant hogweed cannot be
substantiated by any existing research. Coming in contact with Cow
parsnip and Wild parsnip can cause similar reactions.
