Poison Parsnip! (aka Wild Parsnip)

Poison Parsnip: not a pretty yellow flower!

If you are in Delaware County in July, you have seen poison parsnip. It is taking over this county. Right now it’s abundant in nearly all ditches, and fields, and it appears to be expanding its reach quickly. BEWARE this stuff, it causes a burning rash that is as bad as or worse than poison ivy – unless you happen to get in contact after dark and wash it off before sunrise – as it is UV activated. If you hike, mow, or enjoy outdoor activities BEWARE! At a party I met a guy whose arm was covered in gauze. He had been weed-wacking and got into a patch of this stuff and it really messed up his arm. Like this:

Poison Parsnip bites!

Please see the links below for more info:

https://www.nysdot.gov/dangerous-plants/wild-parsnip
http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/parsnip.htm
http://128.104.239.6/uw_weeds/extension/articles/wildparsnip.htm