The Rural Voice, 1979-07, Page 35Parsnip noxious weed, Bruce claims
The Bruce County federation of agriculture has asked the
government to declare wild parsnip a noxious weed. The weed,
which has been dis.:overed near Ferndale on Highway 6. grows
from five to six feet in height and is commonly found in
south-eastern Ontario near Upper Canada Village and along the
St. Lawrence River.
Farmers in the Ferndale area suspect the weed was brought
into Bruce County with straw that was used as mulch when the
Ministry of Transport seeded a roadside area after highway
construction. The farmers are concerned that the weed will move
into their fields.
A weed specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture said
the weed can be controlled easily with sprays such as 2, 4-D,
provided they are applied at the correct time and shouldn't pose
a threat to cultivated crops.
He added he is in agreement with moves to control the weed
before it spreads.
Wild parsnip is a biennial weed which means it starts its
growth one year and puts out flowers and seeds the next year.
The Ministry of Transport did spray the Ferndale area weeds
last year in an attempt to kill them before they could spread seed
this year.
If the government agrees to declare wild parsnip a noxious
weed, then inspectors can mope in and order the weed killed.
The wild parsnip can be distinguished from water -parsnip or
cow parsnip by its yellow flowers, flattened winged seeds and a
leaflet shape.
Contact with the leaves can produce skin irritations in some
people.
1
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TF1E RURAL VOlutf,uLY 1979 PG. 33