It may look harmless but the wild parsnip, a plant from the same family as the root vegetable, can cause dangerous skin irritations.
Originally brought over as a food crop from Europe in the 1600s, the plant can be found in parts of Canada, including the Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax, a popular park with hikers, families and dog owners. It's also often found near construction sites, and thrives during the warmer months when there's lots of rainfall.
According to a botanist at the Royal Ontario Museum, while the root of the plant is edible, the sap found in the stems can cause severe skin troubles.
"If you get some sap on your skin and your skin is then exposed to the sun, that's when you get a reaction," Deborah Metsger told CTV Toronto on Friday.
Called photodermatitis, the skin reaction may lead to blisters and burns. The plant's sap can also cause blindness if it gets into a person's eyes.
Two summers ago, a child in New Brunswick ended up in hospital with severe burns after coming in contact with the toxic plant. More recently, an 11-year-old Pickering boy was left with a bad scar on his leg after accidentally coming into contact with it.
But according to Metsger, while the plant with its yellow, umbrella-like blossoms can be dangerous, there is no cause for alarm as long as people are careful.
"We need not be frightened of plants if we take the right precautions," she said.
Experts recommend wearing gloves and to protect the face and eyes if the plant is being removed. Hikers should also consider wearing long pants and sleeves in areas where wild parsnip can be found.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Pauline Chan
