Giant hogweed found in Guelph, prompting warning
The City of Guelph is asking residents to watch for giant hogweed and the closely-related wild parsnip after a number of the plants were removed from a local park.
On Friday, city staff removed 25 of the invasive weeds from Eramosa River Park. They will continue to monitor for other patches.
"Both giant hogweed and wild parsnip are noxious weeds that look alike and can cause a public health hazard," said Martin Neumann, manager of parks operations, in a statement.
The plants, originally from Asia, have a clear, watery sap that contains toxins. The sap can inflame and burn skin when exposed to sunlight. It can even cause blindness if it gets in the eyes of people or their pets.
Giant hogweed grows to a height of three to four metres when in flower. It looks like a larger version of Queen Anne's lace, and often grows in open sites with lots of sunlight.
Residents who find giant hogweed on their property are responsible for its removal, according to the city. This should be done wearing protective clothing, including eyewear. Professional services such as pesticide application companies can also assist.