A national park in Arizona has closed its picnic area, which has been overtaken by an invasive, noxious weed called stinknet.
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge on Wednesday announced its picnic area will be closed through April 30 due the density of stinknet, a noxious winter weed native to South Africa that has an odor similar to turpentine.
"Stinknet can cause severe skin rashes and serious breathing problems. For the safety of visitors and their health, we ask that you do not enter the picnic area," park officials said. "We also ask that visitors avoid walking near or stepping on this flowering weed in other areas of the park to avoid spreading it."