Jasmeet Sidhu
Staff Reporter The city’s park division is investigating claims that the giant hogweed plant, a noxious weed that can cause burning to the skin and blindness, has appeared in the Don Valley in Toronto.
“We can’t give confirmation that’s exactly what was found. We are in the middle of confirming that,” said Aggie Fortier of the city’s park division.
The city began the investigation after reports surfaced of about 50 plants appearing in the Don Valley.
If identified as hogweed, the plants could pose a serious risk to public health in causing burning and potential blindness if exposed hands are rubbed into eyes. Paul Zammit, the director of horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, says that although hogweed can be a beautiful addition to a garden, the potential health effects should be enough to warrant everyone to stay away from it.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/835225--city-probes-reports-of-noxious-hogweed?bn=1