Clinton News Record, 2015-07-08, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Giant hogweed is everyone's problem
Laura Broadley
Clinton News Record
There is a large patch of
invasive giant hogweed
growing underneath the
eastern side of the Bayfield
River bridge.
It is similar to other plants
in the way it looks but it's
very different for it's effects
on human health. Giant hog -
weed sap can cause burning
when comes into contact
with human skin and then
exposed to UV radiation. The
plant also has the potential
to blind humans, according
TT1
to the Ausable Bayfield Con-
servation Authority.
If you do come into con-
tact with giant hogweed, the
ABCA recommends washing
the area with soap and water
immediately, keeping the
affected area out of direct
sunlight and seeking medi-
cal attention.
Giant hogweed looks like
many other plants, including
water parsnip, wild carrot
and angelica. The giant hog -
weed tends to be much taller
than these other plants,
mature plants can grow up
to 14 -metres. It is character-
ized by clusters of white
flowers, large leaves and
raised red -purple nodules
on the stocks.
It is a native plant of Asia
and has been growing in
Bayfield over the last few
years under the bridge
where families congregate to
fish. Many people weren't
aware that they're standing
metres away from a hazard,
said Bluewater councillor
Bill Whetstone.
Last week the municipal-
ity put signs up around the
giant hogweed as a warning.
It's everyone's problem
and yet no one's problem.
The area where the plant is
located is part MTO and
private property. There has
been debate over who's
responsible for getting rid
of it.
Bluewater has been
working with the county
and private owners to find
a solution. It is not on
municipal property but the
safety of residents and visi-
tors is a priority, said
Whetstone.
"We're trying to educate
as many people as we can
until we get a firm plan of
attack as to how we're
going to deal with this,"
said Whetstone.
Laura Broadley Clinton News Record
Giant hogweed is an invasive plant species that has been growing
underneath the eastern side of the Bayfield River bridge. Last
week the municipality put up signs to warn against the hazard.
Photos by Laura Broadley Clinton News Record
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