Poisonous Plants Headed North

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Florida's not the only place that has nasty things living and growing! Poisonous hemlock and wild parsnips are creeping north. They are already in southern Ohio; so that gives you an idea of how far north they've come. They are commonly found growing together; and continuous wet conditions have allowed both to flourish. Hemlock produces small white flowers on tall stalks and can kill mammals if the sap comes in contact with mucous membranes through ingestion. It was introduced into the country as an ornamental in the mid 1800s. Parsnips and hemlock are members of the carrot family. Wild parsnips bear small yellow flowers on a thick celery-like stalk. Skin exposure to wild parsnips kills skin cells and causes a breakdown of ultraviolet light resistance which leads to painful blistering and burns which can linger for months. Knowing how to identify these plants is paramount for protection. With proper precautions, hemlock can be cut down or mowed down because it must be ingested to be harmful. Since wild parsnips react to skin contact, experts recommend contacting local horticultural experts or park officials to handle its disposal. Ashtabula residents in Ohio must be wary of the giant hogweed, also a member of the carrot family, (looks like an enlarged parsnip), and can cause similar burns and scarring on contact with skin. Don't forget...if you see wild parsnips or giant hogweed, don't try to dispose of it yourself. Photo Credit: Pixabay (Picture is of poisonous hemlock)