It's weird how we look at things. Tell someone who loves spicy food that a local restaurant has a certain dish will make them feel like they're on fire, and they'll find a way to get to that joint for a plateful just as fast as they can (myself included).

However, we just don't seem to share that enthusiasm for a plant with pretty flowers on it that will do the same to us.

Maybe we should start putting this plant into some Cheetos and see what happens.

Getty Images
Been there. (Getty Images)
loading...
Getty Images
Done that. (Getty Images)
loading...

But Seriously...Don't Even Think About Touching Or Eating This Invasive, Toxic Plant That's Showing Up In Several States, Including Wisconsin And Illinois

The plant I'm talking about is the Giant Hogweed, and it looks like this:

Cow parsnip blooms in summer in a meadow, Heracleum Sosnowskyi
Getty Images
loading...
The blooming field of hogweed pine or heracleum sosnowskyi on a summer day
Getty Images
loading...

You Can't Tell From The Photos, But These Things Can Grow To Be 10-15 Feet Tall

Here's some background from the University of Illinois Extension:

This invasive plant has been confirmed in several states including Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and in August 2006, giant hogweed was confirmed in Lake County in northeast Illinois.

Giant Hogweed has gone on to be confirmed as being present in several other Illinois counties, and it's also been confirmed in Wisconsin (Iron, Manitowoc, Portage and Sheboygan counties).

University of Illinois Extension, Facebook
University of Illinois Extension, Facebook
loading...
What Giant Hogweed looks like after it dies. (Getty Images)
What Giant Hogweed looks like after it dies. (Getty Images)
loading...

This Is Why You Should Take Giant Hogweed Seriously

Unless you enjoy reaching new heights of pain and agony, don't even go near this stuff. The purple blotches and white hairs all over the stems are not very attractive, but it's the sap that will get you.

ForestryNews.com says the Giant Hogweed's sap contains photosensitizing compounds that can cause a skin reaction when exposed to the sun. When the plant is bruised or broken, it can release a sap.

"If a person comes in contact with the sap and then exposes the area to the sun, swelling and blistering of the skin can occur and may lead to permanent scarring. Worse yet, having contact with your eyes can cause temporary, or even permanent blindness."

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

KEEP READING: Here are 6 foods from your cookout that could harm your dog

More From 97 ZOK