Watch for Wild Parsnip and Cow Parsnip in the City
Wild Parsnip and Cow Parsnip look like colourful wildflowers that are often found along the edges of parks, open spaces, trails and roadsides. However, these toxic weeds are a growing concern across Ontario and can pose a health risk to people and their pets.
The plants often appear beginning in the spring and bloom until early autumn. The plant sap contains chemicals that may cause skin and eye irritation and make the skin prone to severe burning and blistering when exposed to the sun. Symptoms typically occur within 48 hours and consist of painful blisters that may result in scarring.
Wild Parsnip and Cow Parsnip are currently flowering in Ontario, including in local areas in Oshawa. Do not touch or pick the flowers from these plants. Please warn your children to not touch the flowers.
Being familiar with the appearance of the plants and ensuring you, your children, and pets stay away are best ways to prevent contact.
Wild Parsnip
Wild Parsnip has yellow flowers that will grow up to 1.5 m. tall. The single stem of the plant is smooth featuring leaves arranged in pairs featuring sharp mitten shaped leaflets.
Cow Parsnip
To identify Cow Parsnip look for a 1 to 2.5 m. tall stem that has a few purple areas and deep ridges with fuzzy hairs. The plant features white round flower clusters with leaves showing similar shape to a maple leaf, or an open palm with three fingers outstretched.
Stay connected
For more information, visit Oshawa.ca/weeds or call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.
For City of Oshawa updates, visit Oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.