Plants to Watch Out For This Summer Season

Summer in Ontario means enjoying the great outdoors: hiking, camping, gardening, and exploring the province’s beautiful landscapes. However, it also means being aware of potential hazards, and some of the most common come in the form of plants. Contact with certain plants can lead to painful skin reactions, and knowing how to identify and avoid them is crucial for a safe and enjoyable summer. This article highlights three plants you should be especially cautious of: Poison Ivy, Giant Hogweed, and Wild Parsnip.

Wild Parsnip: A Sunny-Day Burn Hazard

Wild Parsnip is a plant that can cause phytophotodermatitis, a skin reaction triggered by sunlight. Similar to Giant Hogweed, the sap of Wild Parsnip contains photosensitizing compounds that react with UV rays. Contact with the sap followed by sun exposure can result in painful burns, blisters, and discoloration of the skin.

Identifying Wild Parsnip:

• Height: Wild Parsnip typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 meters (3-5 feet).
• Stem: The stem is smooth, grooved, and hollow.
• Leaves: The leaves are pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into pairs of leaflets arranged along a central stalk.
• Flowers: It has clusters of small, yellow flowers that form a flat-topped umbel (umbrella-like shape). These flower heads are typically 5-20 cm wide

What to do if you encounter Wild Parsnip:

• Avoid Contact: Avoid brushing against the plant, especially on sunny days.
• Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves and pants when in areas where Wild Parsnip is present.
• Immediate Washing: If sap contacts the skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
• Shield from Sunlight: Keep the affected area out of sunlight for at least 24 hours.
• Seek Medical Attention: Consult a doctor if you develop a severe rash or blisters.

Poison Ivy: The Ubiquitous Irritant

Poison Ivy is perhaps the most well-known of the skin-irritating plants. It’s widespread throughout Ontario and can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and fields to gardens and even urban areas. The culprit behind the itchy rash is urushiol, an oil found in all parts of the plant – leaves, stems, and roots. Even contact with contaminated objects like clothing, tools, or pet fur can transfer the oil and cause a reaction.

Identifying Poison Ivy:

• “Leaves of three, let it be.” This is the golden rule for identifying Poison Ivy. The plant always has three leaflets.
• Leaf Shape: The leaflets can vary in shape but are typically oval with pointed tips. They may have smooth or slightly toothed edges.
• Growth Habit: Poison Ivy can grow as a vine, a shrub, or even a groundcover. This variability can make identification tricky.
• Color: The leaves are typically green but can turn reddish in the fall.

What to do if you encounter Poison Ivy:

• Avoid Contact: The best defense is prevention. Wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves when in areas where Poison Ivy is likely to be present.
• Immediate Washing: If you suspect you’ve come into contact with Poison Ivy, wash the affected area immediately with soap and cool water. This can help remove the urushiol oil before it penetrates the skin.
• Over-the-Counter Treatment: Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can help relieve itching and inflammation.
• Seek Medical Attention: If the rash is severe, covers a large area, or occurs on the face or genitals, consult a doctor.

Giant Hogweed: A Towering Threat

Giant Hogweed is a much less common, but significantly more dangerous, plant than Poison Ivy. Originally from Eurasia, it has established itself in parts of Ontario, particularly in southern regions. This plant is a public health hazard due to its sap, which contains photosensitizing compounds. When the sap comes into contact with skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns, blisters, and even permanent scarring. Eye contact can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

Identifying Giant Hogweed:

• Size: As the name suggests, Giant Hogweed is enormous, reaching heights of up to 5 meters (16 feet).
• Stem: The stem is thick (5-10 cm in diameter), green with purple blotches, and covered in coarse white hairs.
• Leaves: The leaves are deeply lobed and can be up to 1 meter wide.
• Flowers: It produces large, umbrella-shaped clusters of small white flowers.

What to do if you encounter Giant Hogweed:

• Do Not Touch: Never touch Giant Hogweed. Keep a safe distance.
• Protective Gear: If you must be near the plant (e.g., for removal), wear full protective gear, including waterproof clothing, gloves, eye protection, and a face mask.
• Immediate Washing: If sap contacts the skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
• Shield from Sunlight: Keep the affected area out of sunlight for at least 48 hours.
• Seek Medical Attention: See a doctor immediately if you come into contact with the sap, especially if it gets in your eyes.

By learning to identify and avoid these three plants – Poison Ivy, Giant Hogweed, and Wild Parsnip – you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing painful and potentially long-lasting skin reactions. Enjoy your summer adventures in Ontario, but remember to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself from these unwanted floral foes.