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Blog
June 9, 2010
Tis the season for weeping and burning blisters
Wild Parsnip. A pretty plant with some tasty roots (harvest it before it blooms for the best tasting roots) that can do some nasty things. It is all over in our area, usually on edges of fields and roadsides, but also present along area streams. It is evident by its yellow flowers. A general rule of thumb, small yellow flowers are evil!

The juices of this plant when exposed to sunlight (phytophotodermatitic effects) can cause some serious skin ailments.
The chemicals in the juices called furocoumarins are activated by ultra violet light causes a breakdown of skin cells and tissue. The skin looks rashy and red at first, then the fun begins. Blisters appear (usually long and narrow where the stem dragged across your skin) and can turn brown and pop and weep on their own. Plus they leave a nifty scar (I have one that is 5 years old).

We recommend always wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants or waders to wade in.
Even on cloudy days there are UV rays present so do not think clouds make it safe. If for some reason you feel the need to touch the plant, wait until night. Then roll around in the stuff all you want, it will not burn without the sun.
The juices of this plant when exposed to sunlight (phytophotodermatitic effects) can cause some serious skin ailments.
The chemicals in the juices called furocoumarins are activated by ultra violet light causes a breakdown of skin cells and tissue. The skin looks rashy and red at first, then the fun begins. Blisters appear (usually long and narrow where the stem dragged across your skin) and can turn brown and pop and weep on their own. Plus they leave a nifty scar (I have one that is 5 years old).
We recommend always wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants or waders to wade in.
Even on cloudy days there are UV rays present so do not think clouds make it safe. If for some reason you feel the need to touch the plant, wait until night. Then roll around in the stuff all you want, it will not burn without the sun.
Mat - 2010-06-09 15:16:06
The picture of the blisters is a random google image search for wild parsnip blisters. This is one of those bad, bad plants.
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