Cow parsnip, not giant hogweed, spotted in Merrill
After some concerns on social media that giant hogweed was spotted, the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Merrill say there's no danger to people walking the River Bend Trail. What is there is a similar-looking plant with less harmful effects, and the city is working to get rid of the pest.
Giant hogweed can cause third-degree burns just by touching it, and in Merrill some community members were concerned that's what was growing near the trail. But their minds can be at ease, because it's not giant hogweed, but rather cow parsnip.
"We did discover a couple of small, isolated areas where there was cow parsnip, which is a common, pesky plant which does have some symptoms of skin irritation," said Dan Wendorf, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department with the City of Merrill.
The leaves are similar, and both plants have clusters of white flowers. But unlike giant hogweed, cow parsnip is not nearly as harmful to humans.
"We're not sure how it got here, it is a common pest similar to poison ivy, but it's common to the state of Wisconsin and to our region as well," said Wendorf.
While not as harmful as giant hogweed, it's still not a good idea to touch cow parsnip.
"If it isn't oozing sap or you don't rough it up, it won't irritate you. It's only if you break it off or if you physically manipulate it, that it would open you up to some sort of a skin irritation," said Wendorf.
There's only been a handful of plants spotted in Merrill, and none of them are directly on the River Bend's walking trail. But the city is working to get rid of the cow parsnip, and any other invasive species that may appear.
"By going after some of these invasive species it will help us not only clean up and get rid of those pests, but it'll also be a real nice visual attraction," said Wendorf.
Wendorf emphasized that nobody is in any danger, and that the isolated plants are not directly on the path. If you do see cow parsnip, call the your local parks department or the DNR.
