19. Minnesota – Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Wild parsnip grows widely in Minnesota fields and roadsides and produces clusters of small yellow flowers. The sap contains toxic chemicals that cause severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight, a condition known as phytophotodermatitis. Ingestion can also cause stomach pain and neurological symptoms. Skin contact followed by sun exposure can result in blistering and long-term scarring. Because it resembles harmless plants like Queen Anne’s lace, wild parsnip is frequently encountered and underestimated.
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