Before too long, we’re going to be out and about…hiking, camping, fishing…and there’s something out there you need to be watching for. The Giant Hogweed was introduced to this country in the early 1900’s as an ornamental plant. It is huge with a purple, bristly stalk and a large umbrella of white flowers. And, it has a clear sap that makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight causing severe second degree burns than can take months to heal. If the sap gets in your eyes it can cause temporary to permanent blindness, so it is nothing to trifle with.

Be on the lookout for Giant Hogweed. Do not come near it. Mark the area with a brightly colored strip of cloth and report it to the nearest Division of Natural Resources.

Here is an article for more information. The map shows where the plant has been documented but it was 2014. It could have spread by now. Better to be safe than sorry. ❤️

https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/OIPC_BMP_Hogweed.pdf

“One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4:39-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬