Wild (Poison) Parsnip
“Wild parsnips produce a sap, or plant juice, that can cause burns to the skin in the presence of sunlight. In some cases, the burns are like second-degree sunburns that can cause painful rashes and raised blisters.”
Wild, or Poison Parsnip looks like Queen Anne’s Lace but yellow. It is thick along Maurice Roberts Memorial Highway on the Bradford end and also along Route 5 south of town near Newton’s.
This author experienced the blistering effect after picking daisies in and among the parsnip and can testify to painful blisters the size of dimes up and down my forearm. Beware!
The irritation happens as a reaction to sunlight. If exposed, wash well and stay out of the sun for a day or so.
Update:
This plant is spreading and has recently (June 2019) been seen at the North end of Lake Morey and along Lake Morey Road East. The state invasives page on Parsnip says it’s easily dug out and it’s easy to loosen up the root and then pull the plant. Other pages on Parsnip control recommend working on this plant at the end of the day or after sunset to lessen exposure to sunlight and of course to dress in long pants and sleeves, gloves and to wash well afterward.
Map of Parsnip infestation in Fairlee – iNaturalist Please help contribute to mapping invasives in Fairlee! Any iNaturalist member can be added as a contributor, just ask in the comments below and we’ll get in touch.
The New York State Invasives parsnip page has some very good,detailed information on control techniques.
A lookalike is Golden Alexander. Golden Alexander flower rosettes are more rounded than the Parsnip and it blooms a little earlier.
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