Poisonous plants: What should you look for?

Giant hogweed in Ontario. (Peter Smith/Ontario Weeds)

Biologists and health officials in eastern Ontario are scrambling to contain an invasive plant that can cause blindness and severe burns.

Heracleum mantegazzianum, or giant hogweed, is a poisonous plant most recently found growing in Renfrew County, west of Ottawa.

"The concern is it's a very poisonous plant, in the sense that if you get any of the sap from this plant on your skin, it can cause severe blistering and very bad burns," said Jeff Muzzi, manager of forestry services for Renfrew County.

Read more.

But hogweed is not the only plant that can cause pain or discomfort if you happen to encounter it. From stinging nettle to poisonous oak, some weeds can be more than just annoying - they can be dangerous.

CBC News Your Voice wants your help identifying harmful plants. Send us photos of what you've seen around the country. Make sure to send the name of the plant and the location.

Here's how you can get involved:

• Upload your photos to our gallery
• Email your photos with words "poisonous plants" in the subject line to: yournews@cbc.ca