DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – One of the most troublesome non-native plants found in northeast Minnesota is the wild parsnip.
The invasive plant grows wild across much of the country and thrives in sunny areas like fields and along roadways.
It can grow to be four to six feet tall and the plant sap contains toxic chemicals that are activated by sunlight and can cause serious burns and blisters to human skin after contact.
Wild parsnip can spread rapidly and replace native plants.
Appropriate protective clothing including gloves, long sleeves, and long pants should be worn and direct contact with the plant should be avoided.
A sound management plan is necessary to manage this species of plant and will take several years of commitment to ensure that the population has decreased significantly and is not a serious problem.
Small numbers of plants can be removed by hand if using gloves and clothing to protect the skin from sap exposure.
Learn more about recognizing and controlling wild parsnip at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/wildparsnip
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