An invasive, noxious plant is making its presence known in southeast Saskatchewan, and experts are urging residents to take precautions and act quickly if they spot it on their property.
Wild parsnip is an aggressive weed known for both its rapid spread and hazardous effects on human skin. It has been spreading rapidly throughout the region, especially along highways and ditches.
“It’s bad,” explained Discover Weyburn’s resident gardening expert, Sherri Roberts. “It’s a bad weed and it has spread, unfortunately, it has spread like wildfire from mowing the ditches. I mean the ditches have to be mowed, but just a little piece of that gets carried on the mower then and it gets spread down.”
One of the most visible areas impacted is along Highway 48 near the intersection with Highway 35. Roberts noted that the plant is increasingly taking hold in roadside ditches, forming dense clusters that crowd out native vegetation and pose a real health risk to people who come into contact with it.
Wild parsnip isn’t the only plant like this. Cow parsnip, also known as hogweed, has similar health risks and is just as widespread.
“Cow parsnip has a chemical in it that if you touch it, there's an oil in there and it's photosensitive and you can end up with third-degree burns,” she said. “So it's not a weed you want to mess with.”
The phototoxic reaction triggered by the plant's sap can begin as early as 15 minutes after exposure. The photosensitivity peaks up to two hours after contact but can last for several days.
Roberts stressed the importance of proper protection when removing the plant.
“If you see it and you want to get rid of it, you definitely have to have gloves on, long sleeves, because it creates, like I said, this photosensitivity and will create these burns.”
And for those who find the plant taking root on their own property, Roberts’ advice is clear: act quickly.
“You don't want it. If you see it in your yard, get rid of it. I mean, get out your shovel and dig it up and then put it in a bag and get rid of it, because it's moved into the southeast here and it's one of the bad ones.”