The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is warning Iowans of a poisonous weed sprouting up across the state, causing severe burning and itching sensations.Large patches of wild parsnip, also called poison parsnip, can be found in road ditches, fields, along bike trails and in prairie areas.VIDEO: Iowa victim suffers painful effects of poisonous weedIn a short amount of time, it can take over an area and crowd out the native plants.Wendy Prusha spotted the weed while cleaning up the creek outside her Union home two weeks ago, pulling orange ditch lilies for a front porch decoration."I just got down, and I was digging them and got down to the roots," Prusha said.What seemed like a harmless gardening task suddenly turned into a trip to the emergency room."It's a constant burning (feeling)," Prusha said. "It just bubbled up overnight."The DNR said many people don't realize they are coming in contact with wild parsnip until burns, blisters and welts later develop."The oils sit on your skin," Prusha said. "It eats away your skin."The damage left blistered and cracked red skin on her forearm.The weed looks like a dill plant or Queen Anne's lace and is yellow and grows about 4 feet tall."It's very dangerous and very harmful," Prusha said.She immediately sprayed and mowed the area, effectively killing the dangerous weed.Her mission is to inform others about the pain and suffering caused by what looks like a simple wildflower."Let them know what it looks like and tell them to stay away from it," Prusha said.Effects can last for weeks and scars can last for years. Chemicals in the juice of the poison parsnip react with sunlight and cause a breakdown of cells and tissues.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is warning Iowans of a poisonous weed sprouting up across the state, causing severe burning and itching sensations.

Large patches of wild parsnip, also called poison parsnip, can be found in road ditches, fields, along bike trails and in prairie areas.

Advertisement Related Content Here’s what to do if you touch wild parsnip

VIDEO: Iowa victim suffers painful effects of poisonous weed

In a short amount of time, it can take over an area and crowd out the native plants.

Wendy Prusha spotted the weed while cleaning up the creek outside her Union home two weeks ago, pulling orange ditch lilies for a front porch decoration.

"I just got down, and I was digging them and got down to the roots," Prusha said.

What seemed like a harmless gardening task suddenly turned into a trip to the emergency room.

"It's a constant burning (feeling)," Prusha said. "It just bubbled up overnight."

The DNR said many people don't realize they are coming in contact with wild parsnip until burns, blisters and welts later develop.

"The oils sit on your skin," Prusha said. "It eats away your skin."

The damage left blistered and cracked red skin on her forearm.

The weed looks like a dill plant or Queen Anne's lace and is yellow and grows about 4 feet tall.







"It's very dangerous and very harmful," Prusha said.

She immediately sprayed and mowed the area, effectively killing the dangerous weed.

Her mission is to inform others about the pain and suffering caused by what looks like a simple wildflower.

"Let them know what it looks like and tell them to stay away from it," Prusha said.

Effects can last for weeks and scars can last for years. Chemicals in the juice of the poison parsnip react with sunlight and cause a breakdown of cells and tissues.



