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P. 30
Giant Weed that Burns and
Blinds – Spreads Across
Canada
By Jonathon Rivat
/ National Post
huge, toxic plant that can burn
skin and cause permanent
blindness has been found for
the frst time in eastern
A Ontario, prompting calls for a federal response to contain the spread of
the poisonous plant as fear grows no province is immune.
A forestry offcial
confrmed two new fndings
of Giant Hogweed last
week in Renfrew County,
west of Ottawa. It has
previously been spotted
in Newfoundland, New
Brunswick, Quebec,
southwestern Ontario,
Alberta, and British
Columbia. About 50 plants
were spotted in Toronto ’s
Don Valley two weeks ago.
Contact with the weed’s
clear, watery sap can be
very dangerous, warned Jeff
Muzzi, Renfrew County’s
forestry manager and weed
inspector.
“What it does to you
is pretty ugly,” said Mr.
Muzzi. “It causes blisters.
Large blisters and permanent
scarring. What’s left over
looks like a scar from a
chemical burn or fre.”
28 Canadian Iris Society Newsletter
Blinds – Spreads Across
Canada
By Jonathon Rivat
/ National Post
huge, toxic plant that can burn
skin and cause permanent
blindness has been found for
the frst time in eastern
A Ontario, prompting calls for a federal response to contain the spread of
the poisonous plant as fear grows no province is immune.
A forestry offcial
confrmed two new fndings
of Giant Hogweed last
week in Renfrew County,
west of Ottawa. It has
previously been spotted
in Newfoundland, New
Brunswick, Quebec,
southwestern Ontario,
Alberta, and British
Columbia. About 50 plants
were spotted in Toronto ’s
Don Valley two weeks ago.
Contact with the weed’s
clear, watery sap can be
very dangerous, warned Jeff
Muzzi, Renfrew County’s
forestry manager and weed
inspector.
“What it does to you
is pretty ugly,” said Mr.
Muzzi. “It causes blisters.
Large blisters and permanent
scarring. What’s left over
looks like a scar from a
chemical burn or fre.”
28 Canadian Iris Society Newsletter
