The City of Estevan moved quickly to deal with a case of wild parsnip that was found in the community earlier this week.
Rod March, the manager of parks and facilities for the city, said a report came in at the city’s information desk regarding somebody finding what appeared to be wild parsnip in the Pleasantdale Valley near McCready Crescent.
March went out to confirm that it was the plant, which has received attention recently because of cases in which it has harmed people.
“It’s just a small, isolated patch, so we were able to get on it quickly thanks to whoever reported it,” said March. “It’s just one of those things that you come across sometimes that looks like dill or anything like that, but when you get down to it, this in fact was and is wild parsnip.”
He estimates there were 50 plants growing in a small area of the valley, and they were treated with a herbicide to kill off the plant. City crews then removed the dead plant on Thursday.
“We did get it before it went to seed, and that’s the important thing. That’s the only way this plant reproduces is by seed, so if you can get it before flowers turn to seeds to develop, then you’re miles ahead, because it can’t reproduce,” said March.
People were asked to stay away from the plant because of the toxicity of the sap within the plant. It has been known to cause blistering if it comes into contact with the skin, and the skin is then exposed to the sun after contact with the sap.
March said the city monitors for invasive species like wild parsnip. There are some noxious and nuisance weeds in the community, such as five different types of thistle. They are tackled as much as possible, but occasional outbreaks will occur.
“With respect with wild parsnip, due to its potential to cause some injury to humans, this one I’m just dealing with right away,” said March.
People who come into contact with wild parsnip should wash the affected skin with soap and water right away. If burns and blisters occur, then medical attention is needed.
He compares it to the blistering caused by stinging nettle when he lived in B.C.
The wild parsnip had to come from a seed from somewhere, he said, because that’s how it reproduces. One flower turns into more seeds, which reproduce elsewhere.
But because the city was on it quickly, March doesn’t anticipate there will be any problems from the wild parsnip
He also doesn’t expect it was in the valley for very long.
“Once it develops, it doesn’t reproduce from rhizomes or anything from the roots. It’s a perennial plant, but its flowers and everything grow the second year, and then it produces seed and it dies. So it’s really a short-lived perennial.”
With 900 seeds per plant, it can grow quickly if it’s not caught.
There haven’t been any reports of animals or people coming into contact with the plant. March said there also haven’t been reports of wild parsnip being elsewhere in the community.
If anyone sees any others cases of wild parsnip, including on private property, they are asked to call the City of Estevan’s parks division at 306-634-1880. Anyone who tries to remove it should use gloves and other protective clothing to prevent it from coming into contact with the skin.
