dangerous GIANT hogweed...

The Giant Hogweed [Heracleum mantegazzianum] is a plant native to Asia. It was likely introduced to North America as an ornamental garden plant. With no known diseases or insect pests the plant has escaped into the wild and has become an invasive species which threatens our natural ecosystems.

It is now invaded many regions of the world, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It's huge resembling Queen Anne's Lace, Angelica, and Cow parsnip. Unlike native species Hogweed can grow up to 5 metres [15 feet] tall and has an herbaceous stem 5 to 10 centimetres in diameter.. The stem and leaf stalks are hollow, covered with coarse hairs, and are often purple-spotted.

So... what's the problem?

If you touch the clear watery sap from the plant's stem or hairs, you could experience a reaction within 48 hours.

On skin, sap can cause sensitivity to sunlight. This can cause painful blisters and burns, which could lead to pigmented purple and black scars. In eyes, sap can cause temporary or permanent blindness.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH IT?

Wash the affected areas immediately with running water.
Avoid touching your eyes.
Stay out of the sun for at least 48 hours after contact with the sap to prevent a skin reaction.

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION!

I've seen this plant growing along the Grand River where I live. I reported it to our local health officials as requested.

One of the principle problems is that it attracts attention - usually children - who are enamoured by it's size and peculiar look and like to stand under the plant like the man below.




CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL HEALTH OR PARK OFFICIALS TO SEE IF THE PLANT IS IN YOUR AREA.

Be safe, Play Safe!

 

Where did it come from? Were people stupid enough to plant it and it got free or what? It seems like most people would recognize this as a problem.

 

Apparently ordinary people didn't recognize it as a problem and that is probably why it is particularly dangerous - especially to children who think that it simply a big plant. Like the killer bee that is half way up the United States and heading for our part of the forest someone was careless about considering future complications.

 

The minute you start burning/itching you'd think you'd be trying to kill it off not plant more - even the Killer Bee is more an escaped experiment rather than a deliberate amount of stupidity.

 

Nice to see you on line...

The reality is that there are a whole host of things that are spooky. Take earwigs for example - not native to North America - but they sure are now. Right up there with the Zebra Mussels.

 

Nah, it's why there is such a big to-do about checking exports/imports. Many things have been brought over through shoddy cleaning practices and sneaking in things they don't really know anything about. People really suck at the whole Steward of Nature thing - because laziness and convenience man.

 

Agree...then there are those Burmese Pythons in Florida - man seeing one of these creatures might make me wanna pack up and go home.

 

It seems that way. Unless, of course it begins to cut into prophets; then it becomes a whole different matter. They could have stopped the killer bee but the nations in the hub just wouldn't co-operate.

They have tried some experiments in Canada to determine if the cold weather would be a deterrent - it failed. We are waiting for them to arrive - just like limes disease.

 

There seems to be a whole host of problems and issues. So many that on occasion I just put them out of my mind and simply enjoy what I can.

 

Right on.

I had a student one time who quoted an old English poem, "I shall see as nothing as beautiful as a tree, paused, and then added his own line, and then I saw a deer prance by."

 

...like it!

 

In this jurisdiction it is listed as a dangerous plant. Warnings are posted and citizens are asked to report any sightings to local Health Units , Ministry of the Environment or the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

It's back in that it is spreading faster than first expected. [Like everything else I suppose.]

UPDATE

Keep alert when encountering this plant. If you discover it advise your local Health Department.

It can be dangerous - especially children.