Giant hogweed spreading across New York

[xchrom]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2011/0706/Giant-hogweed-spreading-across-New-York

A monster plant with flowers the size of umbrellas and sap that causes blisters and blindness is spreading across New York.

It's the giant hogweed, an invasive species, and the Department of Environmental Conservation is asking for help locating outbreaks so they can send crews to nip it in the bud.

The agency has a Giant Hogweed Hotline at 845-256-3111 for people to call and report sightings. Callers are asked to provide photos and site information, but avoid touching the plant.

This is DEC's fourth year of controlling giant hogweed.

Six crews totaling 14 people will visit most of the 944 known giant hogweed sites.

[XanaDUer]

1. When I read your post's title

I thought Rush Limbaugh was vacationing in NY.

[TomClash]

2. It's Chris Christie invading from Jersey!

Oh, wait, that was the hot air balloon I saw.

[trof]

3. The Triffids are coming! The Triffids are coming!

A triffid as illustrated by Wyndham
Classification Carnivorous plant
First appearance The Day of the Triffids
Last appearance The Night of the Triffids
Created by John Wyndham

[TexasProgresive]

4. That CSM "article" is really lame- here's a WIKI

And that photo is nearly worthless to help identify it. It doesn't sound like this something new :boring: but I guess there is nothing else for them to report:sarcasm: slow news day and all that.

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum, also giant cow parsley) is a plant in the family Apiaceae. It typically grows to heights of 2–5 metres (6 ft 7 in–16 ft 5 in), sometimes reaching 7 metres (23 ft). Except for size, it closely resembles Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), Heracleum sosnowskyi or Garden Angelica (Angelica archangelica). It is phototoxic and considered to be a noxious weed in many jurisdictions. Giant Hogweed is native to the Caucasus Region and Central Asia. It was introduced to Britain as an ornamental in the 19th century, and it has also spread to Finland, Germany, France, Belgium, United States and Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Hogweed

This thing really is a giant. How about this for a scaremongering film- GIANT HOGWEED vs KUDZU Jesus!

Edited to add photo

[NYC_SKP]

5. Fans of the early Peter Gabriel led "Genesis" albums would recognize the Hogweed.

I even got a personalized license for a 57 Jaguar Mk I that read "HOGWEED" because I love the song.

Decades ago!

"Return of the Giant Hogweed" by Genesis (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSLcwGFyZRA

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 odour.

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 defenceless.
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom.

Still they're invincible,
Still they're immune to all our herbicidal battering.

Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens,
In which they innocently planted the Giant Hogweed throughout the land.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed,
Preparing for an onslaught, threatening the human race.


The Dance Of The Giant Hogweed


Mighty Hogweed is avenged.
Human bodies soon will know our anger.
Kill them with your Hogweed hairs
HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANI


Giant Hogweed lives

- ADVANCE -

[pepperbear]

8. I knew if I scrolled far enough I'd find the genesis fan.

:hi:

[Systematic Chaos]

9. I'd have beaten you to this had I seen the thread first.

Kickass song on a great album. :)

[XanaDUer]

6. Kick

nt.

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. Yeah, it’s no joke

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html

Giant Hogweed

Do Not Touch This Plant!

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a Federally listed noxious weed. Its sap, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and 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.

What to do if you come in contact with giant hogweed:

This plant poses a serious health threat; 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.

Giant hogweed can grow to 15 feet or more

How do you identify giant hogweed?

Giant hogweed is a biennial or perennial herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae) which can grow to 12 feet or more. Its hollow, ridged stems grow 2-4 inches in diameter and have dark reddish-purple blotches. Its large compound leaves can grow up to 5 feet wide. It's white flower heads can grow up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter. Please refer to the http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html">Giant Hogweed Identification page for further help.

Some other plants look very similar. If you need additional information or assistance in identifying your plant, you may call us at 845-256-3111. You will be asked to describe the plant height, stem color, leaf shape, flower color and shape, as well as give directions to the plant site. If you can take digital photos and email them to us [e-mail] , it would help us identify your plant.



…