Giant Hogweed is spreading across the country and the Nature Conservancy of Canada is urging people across the country to document sightings of the towering green plant with large umbels of white flowers.

The invasive species likely arrived in Canada in the 1940s as an ornamental plant and has been a problem for the Greater Sudbury since around 2010.

Its clear sap can cause blistering third-degree burns and even permanent blindness if it touches the body and is then exposed to the sun, through a phototoxic reaction.

The conservancy is asking people to document sightings of the invasive plant through apps such as iNaturalist, which helps scientists understand how the plants are spreading and identifies areas they need to be eradicated.

The city also has information up on their website.

 

Filed under: blind, burns, hogweed, local news, look out