Do Not Touch This Plant: Officials Warn of Burn, Blindness Threat from Giant Hogweed After New Sight

[Bayard]

https://weather.com/science/nature/news/2018-06-19-invasive-plant-species-giant-hogweed-burns-blindness

When sap from the giant hogweed combines with moisture and sunlight, it can cause severe skin and eye irritation.
Sightings of the plant have been reported in Virginia, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and parts of the Pacific Northwest.

The plant is a member of the carrot family and can grow to more than 14 feet tall, according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

The plant's watery sap contains photosensitizing agents. When the sap combines with moisture and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and even blindness. "Contact between the skin and the sap of this plant occurs either through brushing against the bristles on the stem or breaking the stem or leaves," the agency notes.

If contact is made with the plant, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and keep the area away from sunlight for 48 hours, the agency recommends. "This plant poses a serious health threat," the agency notes. "See your physician if you think you have been burned by giant hogweed. If you think you have giant hogweed on your property, do NOT touch it."

The plant is not only harmful to humans. Its large size can block sunlight, killing off smaller native plants that grow at ground level, according to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The plant was first introduced to the United States in the early 20th century via Europe as an ornamental garden plant. It is native to the Caucasus Mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas and grows along streams and rivers, and in fields, forests, yards and along roadsides.


There are pictures at site. Kind of looks like giant Queen Anne's Lace.

[geardaddy]

1. K & R

Thanks for the warning!

[DBoon]

2. Early '70s prog rock ode to the hogweed

Turn and run
Nothing can stop them
Around every river and canal their power is growing
Stamp them out
We must destroy them
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odor
They are invincible
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering
Long ago in the Russian hills
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh
He captured it and brought it home
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge
Royal beast did not forget
He came home to London
And made a present of the Hogweed
To the Royal Gardens at Kew
Waste no time
They are approaching
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night
They are defenseless
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom
Still they're invincible
Still they're…

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Someone had to!

[0rganism]

7. eet vas eenehveetabull

first damn thing i thought of when i read the headline -- is Peter Gabriel trolling us?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Album art:

[Duppers]

3. I saw that.

Vicious plant.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. This is some nasty stuff.

Understand this Hog Weed is now in the Mid West States in a major out break according to Custom Sprayers.

[shanti]

11. It's in the PNW now too.

Parts of western Oregon and Washington. Hoping it doesn't come south!

[Wellstone ruled]

12. Rememeber seeing this stuff in Garden Stores a few years ago.

Sure look nice,but,touched on of the Plants,the sap is nasty,it irritates the skin and first thought,what the hell are they selling Lambs Quarter only to find out it was Hog weed. This crap spreads like Mustard.

[CousinIT]

5. So. How do you KILL them? n/t

[Bayard]

13. The article said don't even try

I'd say probably call your local agriculture agent.

[MagickMuffin]

8. Queen Anne's Lace, unfortunately I have a yard full of it

I live in Texas and yes it can be dangerous. I pulled them up one day during the heat and sunlight and broke out in a rash. I had no idea about the other hazards of this plant, yikes blindness.

If anyone has gone hiking and gets tinny tiny stickers in shoes, socks, pants, hair, etc. that is Hogweed or Queen Anne's Lace.


Thx for posting Bayard


ETA: Queen Anne's Lace is probably a relative but they do have the same attributes. I wonder if anyone is doing more research on these plants!

[Fix The Stupid]

9. Had one a few years ago...

Grew in between a cedar fence row I planted about 3 years earlier...

It was at least 10ft tall before I was informed what it was.

Pulled it out and haven't had one since... Southern Ontario...

[Books_Tea_Alone]

14. Can we order some for the White House?