'Nasty' plant whose sap causes 3rd-degree burns could jump into Alberta, group warns

It's called giant hogweed and it doesn't play nice with humans.

The elegant yet dangerous plant is just one of a number of invasive species that the Nature Conservancy of Canada wants Albertans to look out for this summer.

Giant hogweedis found in British Columbia, and there's a risk it could find its way into Alberta.

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Early detection could stop the plant from spreading across the border, saidKristyn Ferguson, the agency's conservation scientist and a program director, on the Calgary Eyeopener.

"I encourage people if you do see itto report it because if you don't have it yet, you have a chance to get a hold of it before it becomes a big problem in Alberta,"Ferguson said.

Giant hogweedcan grow to4.5 metres tall and has a large,attractive lookingwhite flower.

But it also has a toxic sap that can cause third-degree burns when exposed to sunlight and even blindness if it gets in the eyes.

"It's a nasty one,"Ferguson said.

Foreign invaders

There are already many invasive plant species threatening Alberta's native natural habitats.

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Ferguson said most invasive species have been in Canada since the 1800s and were brought to the country by settlers either by accident or sometime on purpose.

"A lot of the nice looking invasive species were often brought over because someone thought 'Wouldn't that look great in my garden?'" Ferguson said.

"Little did they know once it escaped it could be a big problem for natural spaces."

Those species include:

• Canadathistle.
• Common tansy.
• Spotted knapweed.
• Leafy spurge.
• Japanese knotweed.

Ferguson said these plants spread aggressively through grasslands and rangelands, ruining forage crops andtakingover habitats supporting Alberta's native insects andpollinators.

Most invasive plants are harmless to humans, and these plants can end up in Albertans' gardens. Ferguson said a shovel or chemical weed remover is often all you need to remove the infestation.

But unlike giant hogweed, leafy spurgeisalready inAlberta andalso has a toxic sap which can causeskin irritation or blistering.

To be on the safe side, Ferguson recommends wearing gloves when dealing with any invasive species.

The Alberta Invasive Species Council has resources available online for Albertansto help identify invasive species.

There's even asmartphone app called iNaturalist that can connect you with fellow naturalists tohelp keep invasive speciesunder control.

"You can become an expert and do your part in the battle by [identifying]them, reporting them, and then helping groups get mobilized to take care of them," Ferguson said.

• With files from the Calgary Eyeopener