危險植物，蔓延卑詩省，專家發出警告
植物專家們對低路平原和溫哥華島的民眾發出警告，提醒居民要遠離大豬草 (giant hog weed)，一種正在大溫哥華區蔓延、危險而且有侵略性的植物。
這種可以長至5-6米高，莖上有紫色斑點、開著白花植物相當的危險。>>>>
人類皮膚接觸到這種植物的汁液，如果暴露在陽光下會產生化學反應，導致皮膚灼傷出現水泡和疤痕。如果不幸把大豬草汁液濺入眼中，足以令人暫時失明甚至可永遠失明。大豬草外型上容易跟白芷和野胡蘿蔔混淆。大豬草葉有鋸齒，闊可達1.5米，開白花，可生產1萬粒種子，隨風飄揚，傳播到很遠地方。>>>>
任何人一旦發現大豬草跟蹤，請連繫市政府當局。使用智能手機的用戶，也可以通過手機程序 "Report a Weed app"，來鑑定、識別並報告這種危險植物。卑詩省入侵物種委員 (Invasive Species Council of B.C.) 表示，手機程序提供了許多工具，如果市民發現疑似大豬草，可以拍照上傳，政府有專人來識別，這是一種有效的防範方法。
如果接觸到大豬草汁液，應立即用溫和肥皂水沖洗少兩天避免讓皮膚接觸陽光，如果出現水泡，應立即求醫。
***********以上文章載錄自溫哥華的大紀元時報 2013/06 ******************
Warning issued over plant
It's hairy, has rough edges like a jagged saw and is as dangerous as it looks to those who touch it. Giant hog weed season is starting in B.C. and plant experts are warning people to stay away from the harmful and invasive plant.
The plant's sap(樹液) can cause serious skin burns (燒傷) and blisters (起水泡) that result in long-term sensitivity to the sun. If the sap gets into a person's eyes, it can even cause temporary blindness. "If there was ever a plant that looked mean, this plant does," said Jennifer Grenz of the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver. The noxious plant - commonly mistaken for cow parsnip and Queen Anne's Lace-- is covered with stiff, spiky hairs and has leaf edges that look like a serrated knife(它是覆蓋著生硬，高低不平毛和葉邊，看起來像鋸齒刀).
The plant can grow up to five metres tall. When mature, it produces large white flower made p of smaller umbrella-like clusters. The toxic sap, which is clear and watery, can be found on both the leaves and the stem.
Once the sap touches skin, a person will feel tingling at first and then burning pain. If the skin isn't treated, the patch of skin can become ultra-sensitive to the sun for up to 10 years, said Grens. "it's not a one-time problem," she said. "It's really serious." If they come into contact with the sap, Grenz recommended people cover their skin to shield it from sunlight and wash off the sap using soap and water, and see a doctor.
Although it didn't always grow in B.C., Grenz said giant hog weed now can be found on hiking trails and recreational green spaces across the Lower Mainland. If people think they have come across the plant, they can contact their municipality or the Invasive Species Council to report its location.
If you spot an invasive plant, contact the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver through their website at iscmv.ca. The plant can also be reported on the Report-a-Weed Android and iPhone app.
***********以上文章載錄自 Theprovince News 2013/0606 ******************
