MONTREAL - It's tall, pretty and impressive and it has been living quietly in Canadian yards and hiding out in lush green space for decades.

But giant hogweed's other reputation -- for containing a toxic sap that causes burns and, in rare cases, blindness -- has caught up to it.

A coalition that raises awareness about invasive species is calling for the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) to be sent packing from this country for good.

"It's an example of how when we don't understand the changes we're making to our natural habitat, it can have long-term effects and in this case, pretty major social effects," said Gail Wallin, who represents the National Invasive Species Working Group.

"If there's a plant everyone should care about as an example, giant hogweed, coast-to-coast, is an example where we can still make a difference."

The massive plant -- which stands out due to its sheer size, big leaves and white umbrella-shaped blooms -- has captured headlines in many parts of the country in recent weeks.

Experts say people need to know what they're dealing with because of the possibility of bad burns.

The sap is potent when it comes into contact with UV rays on skin, with blotches starting to show within a day. In the rare cases the sap gets in the eyes, temporary or permanent blindness can follow.

One burn victim was Kristi Dashwood's five-year-old daughter Kayla, who sustained serious injury in mid-July.

"She was picking flowers for me like she always does and she got the sap on her hands, neck and arms and she blistered up within 24 hours," Dashwood said in an interview from Ladysmith, B.C.

Kayla suffered third-degree burns, while her hands scarred up and turned purple and black.

Three weeks later, the girl still has the scars and looks as though she was burned in a fire, Dashwood said.

The weed was in a wooded walking path near the family home.

Dashwood said she was very surprised to know something like this could be growing around the corner from her home.

"I think all of it should be removed," said Dashwood, a mother of two who's been trying to raise awareness about the weed.

Health officials say people who are exposed should get out of the sun quickly and wash affected skin with soap and water. If necessary, additional medical assistance might be needed.

Giant hogweed has been growing wild in different parts of Canada for years and was likely brought here from abroad by gardeners after spreading its way through Asia into England and Europe.

Wallin, who is also with the Invasive Plant Council of BC, says some botanists have told her they've lost control of the plant.

"What's really happened is that the plant has started to spread more aggressively and that's because each plant can produce up to 50,000 seeds," Wallin said in an interview from Williams Lake, B.C.

"Most invasives are fine if they are contained and well managed -- getting the seed heads off, making sure it doesn't grow rapidly."

The plant has been sighted in Canada in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and southern Quebec and Ontario since the summer, cropping up in meadows, fields, embankments, backyards and along roadsides.

The Prairies appear to have been spared, Wallin said.

"It likes wet ground, so it'll be growing along ditches and out-of-the-way places, so eradicating it would be hard," said Donald Smith, a plant sciences professor at McGill University in Montreal.

"As plants go, it might be easier to get rid of than some because it's big, it's conspicuous, he said.

"But to eradicate something like that completely is a big job."

It can displace native plants and experts say the seeds can lie dormant up to seven years.

Workers also need to be careful in dealing with the plant when trying to remove it. In fact, WorkSafeBC has produced a how-to video to deal with the plant.

It's a good opportunity to educate people about invasive species and their effects, Wallin said, as well as getting municipalities on the same page.

Some towns and cities have exemptions on pesticide use, so there are several ways to deal with giant hogweed.

"The approach we're working on is trying to agree together that this is an unwanted plant," Wallin said.

"You have to choose to eradicate it ... that's where government has to get together."

Smith doesn't believe the weed can be eliminated because it'll simply spread back from neighbouring jurisdictions.

"It's a spectacular plant in its own way -- it can be 20 feet tall so it's impressive, but you have to be careful with it," Smith said.

"It'll become part of our local lore to stay away from it."