4 /July 2024 The South Marysburgh Mirror Natural South Marysburgh Poison Ivy is Out, Wild Parsnip is In You can eat the root, but don’t touch the plant! The plant is Wild Parsnip, and with sufficient rain earlier this year, its lush, tall and dense stands are easy to spot in road- side ditches as you drive along. On the farm, when wildflower guides were limited to eradication booklets, and what toxins to apply, we just called it wild celery as the compound leaves certainly did resemble those of celery, and the thick brittle stem looked crispy enough to serve with the vegetables from our garden. Only the roots are edible though. Right now, we can recognize Wild Parsnip easily by its large yellowish-green flat umbels. Weed guides said nothing about its darker side though—its ability to produce a rash, seri- ous enough to make poison ivy pale by compari- son. The plant was brought to North America by European settlers who grew it for its edible root. It is related to Cow Parsnip, Water Hemlock, Water-parsnip, as well as today’s threat of the dec it Hogweed. ingly, Wild Parsnip is also related to Queen Anne’s Lace from which our familiar carrot was derived. All members of the parsley family, and most con- taining toxins in some form. In the case of Wild Parsnip, the threat is much the same as it is from Giant Hogweed. Something called phyto-photodermatitis. We can break down the term into more manageable syllables to better understand what we are deal- ing with regarding this plant. Wild Parsnip plants have chemi- cals called psoralens (more precisely, furocoumarins). This compound is very toxic to fish, and some compounds actually are intentionally deposited in streams in Indonesia to catch fish. So, we have an interaction between the plant (phyto) and light (photo) that induces skin (derm) inflammation (itis). Once these furocoumarins are absorbed by the skin, they are energized by UV light on both sunny and cloudy days. They then bind to our DNA and cell membranes, destroying the cells and skin. So, it’s not an allergic reaction like we get from contact with Poison Ivy, but rather, more like a chemical burn. You can liken it to a sunburn, but unlike sunburn that will affect exposed areas as a whole, phyto-photodermatitis is different. Because its reaction is triggered specifically by chemicals on the skin, only the skin affected by those toxins reacts when exposed to the light. Perspiration or otherwise wet skin, will speed up the absorption. What you end up with are unusual mosaics or streaks, reflecting where a damaged leaf or stem moved across the skin before exposure to sun- light. The affected area will redden and be followed by painful blisters that lead to a brown pigmentation, leaving scars that can last for years. Why is there a concern now, when the plant failed to raise any eyebrows in the past? Like all invaders from other countries, Wild Parsnip has decided that it likes our climate, and has been spreading into new territories with each passing year. Once an infrequently encountered weed that popped up here and there in isolated patches, carpets of Wild Parsnip today can be found wherever it can get a toehold, thereby increasing the probability of exposure. Unlike another invasive European arrival, Swallowwort (dog strangling vine), Wild Parsnip is a bit easier to control simply by being vigilant and digging it up whenever it is en- countered. Mowing it repeatedly, if in a convenient location, may ultimately starve the root stock in time and, if not, it will at least keep the plant from maturing and going aw to seed. Of course, the patches of it with a dark ¥] tarp to prevent sunlight 9) from reaching the grow- If you do come in contact with Wild Pars- 4 nip and have advanced to the blister stage, re- lieving the burning symp- toms first is a priority. Covering the area with a wet cloth will help. Cala- mine lotion is good for most things, so you might try that. See a doctor, of course, if the burns are extensive. Otherwise, keep applying the lotions and let it run its course. It will heal in time, but is apt to leave some unsightly scarring. Terry Sprague is a County field naturalist who lives on Big Island. His website on nature in the county can be found at www.naturestuff.net and he can be reached at tsprague@xplornet.com Terry and Christie—