The City of Richmond is warning the public to look out for the invasive and toxic giant hogweed plant.
Giant hogweed -- which can grow up to six metres tall -- has been spotted recently on city property and officials are asking Richmond residents to keep an eye out for the plant and report it to the Invasive Plant Council of BC.
The plant has been positively identified on the greenspace between Flight Path Park and the Sea Island Fire Hall in Burkeville. The city is investigating other potential sightings and crews have undertaken hazardous plant management measures at the Sea Island location and asks the public to be alert for giant hogweed signage.
City crews will continue to monitor and manage this area as well as any other sites that are reported.
Contact with the photosensitive toxins in the plant's sap from the stem, hairs and leaves can badly burn and blister skin, while contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent vision problems.
However, there can be some confusion in how to identify the plant. As well as growing very tall, it has serrated leaves as large as 1.5 metres across, as well as dark reddish-purple blotches on its stalks. It produces white clusters of umbrella-like flowers.
Giant hogweed thrives near streams, creeks, ditches, roads and in vacant lots. It's sometimes easily confused with other native plants such as cow parsnip or Queen Anne's lace, which also have umbrella-like flowers, but are smaller and do not pose similar health risks.
If residents suspect they see giant hogweed on city property, they should call the city's invasive plant hotline at 604-276-4316.
If possible, take a picture of the plant and email it to [email protected].
If residents suspect giant hogweed on private property, they can call the Invasive Plant Council of BC at 1-800-WEEDSBC.
Anyone who has direct contact with hogweed sap should wash the affected area immediately with mild soap and cool water, keep exposed skin out of sunlight for at least 48 hours, and seek immediate medical attention if blistering occurs.
