Cow parsley alert on cliffs

When it comes in contact with the skin it causes desensitisation to the effects of the sun and can lead to painful blisters.

The noxious plant has been particularly prevalent this year due to the weather conditions.

The advice from States biodiversity education officer Julia Henney is to cover up if unable to avoid thickets of the plant.

‘The weather we have had means it’s been a very big year. We had a wet start to the year and quite high temperatures.’

Cow parsley was common each year, she said. ‘I believe the organisers of the Saffery Rotary Walk gave out some good advice, such as to always wear long clothing.

‘I have suffered from it in the past and it’s not nice. It is a native plant, though, and we could not eradicate it because of invertebrates that rely on it. It’s not an invasive plant like Japanese knotweed, for example,’ she said.

Hundreds took part in the Saffery Rotary Walk and, although organisers had no direct reports of people suffering from hogweed rash, it has been a problem in the past.

‘The safety of walkers is of paramount importance for the Saffery Rotary Walk Committee and warnings of the dangers of hogweed are put out via social media in the lead-up to the walk and on posters around the course itself,’ said a spokesman for the organising committee.

It also liaises with the States body responsible for cutting back the paths prior to the walk.

The advice to anyone who comes into contact with cow parsley is to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and keep out of sunlight for 48 hours.