MADISON, Wis. -- An invader on the Wisconsin prairie is back this summer with a vengeance, and the state Department of Natural Resources is cautioning people to steer clear of wild parsnip plants.

People out for a country drive or a walk through the meadow might encounter the yellow flower that's less friendly than it looks.

"It will start flowering any time from early June to mid-July. You'll see it mostly along the roadways," said Matt Zine, of the Wisconsin DNR. "It can be 4 to 6 feet tall; it's got a thick stalk to it."

Zine said people should be careful around wild parsnip because it can cause burning blisters.

Caroline More, of Mount Horeb, said she learned that the hard way when he leg started to itch.

"I started to itch the one sore. It then leeched over to this hand after I itched this sore, where there was a pronounced burn. Then it went to this finger. Unfortunately, then it went to my eyelid," More said.

More's run-in with parsnip was last summer, but the parsnip problem is even bigger this year.

Counties have been ordered by the state Department of Transportation to mow less frequently along roadsides. That means more of the plant and more of its seeds, which spread in the wind.

"It has this juice that if you get it on your skin when you're trying to control it, when the sun's out, you'll get a pretty bad blister," Zine said.

Zine said wild parsnip has been in Wisconsin for years, but it's not from around here.

If people see the plant, or have it in their yard and try to remove it, Zine said they should be careful.

"The message is to wear long sleeves and gloves at a minimum. Don't let any of the juice from the plant get on your skin," Zine said.

Zine said the blisters like the one's More suffered will heal but the scars can last up to a year.

To get rid of parsnip, people have to get rid of the root. Zine said using a shovel to sever the tap root is the best way, but people might have to bag the plant, as dragging it around can spread its seeds.

blog comments powered by Disqus