Toxic plants popping up in parks

WATCH ABOVE: Toxic plants are popping up in some Ontario parks. They are easy to spot, and painful to touch. Christina Stevens reports.

TORONTO – Giant plants in a Toronto area park may be nice to look at, but not to touch.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has identified the towering plants as Cow Parsnip. They look extremely similar to an invasive plant called Giant Hogweed.

Cow Parsnip is native, so doesn’t threaten the ecological balance like Hogweed. A critical difference for conservation authorities who have to preserve the ecological balance in parks.

However, the distinction is less important to people who come into contact with the plants.

“The important thing you want to remember is both plants cause photo toxicity so you don’t want to get any of the sap on your skin,” said Karen McDonald, Project Manager with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The important thing you want to remember is both plants cause photo toxicity so you don't want to get any of the sap on your skin," said Karen McDonald, Project Manager with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

TRC is in the process of removing dozens of Cow Parsnip plants from the Glen Rouge Campground.

Next door, at Rouge Park, the plants have been popping up along the trails.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Michele Peach, who frequently walks her dog in the park.

“I’m walking along and I just felt like I almost bumped right into these plants,” said Peach, pointing to some which have started to grow onto the path.

She said she immediately recognized the plants, with their small white flowers, and thick purplish stems as being potentially hazardous.

The sap of both Giant Hogweeds and Cow Parsnip can cause painful burning and blisters.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: The sap of both Giant Hogweeds and Cow Parsnip can cause painful burning and blisters.

Experts say if you do get any sap on you, do not expose the area to sunshine. Wash it immediately with cool soapy water, and if you experience any burns go see a doctor.

How badly each person reacts is individual. The sap is toxic to dogs as well.

“You want to make sure your dog is a on a leash, only let your dog off leash in leash free areas and those are usually kept safe from toxic plants,” said McDonald.

Meanwhile, Peach thinks there should be signage to warn people, not to touch the plants.

“I wanted to make sure there was some kind of awareness because I can’t see how they can possibly get rid of so many plants, said Peach.

She pointed out the area is a favourite for families and pups alike, so wants it to be as safe as possible.