The giant hogweed plant can grow up to 14 feet tall and has large umbrella sized flowers, but it also poses health risks. Contact with the sap and sunlight exposure can cause severe burns, blistering, and even blindness. According to the US Department of Agriculture and New York health officials, anyone who comes in contact with the sap should immediately wash the affected area and avoid sunlight, and seek medical help for severe reactions. The invasive plant has spread throughout North America after being imported in the early 1900s, and governments are working to remove it.

1. Giant Hogweed On The Rise
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The giant hogweed is a
stunning plant reaching
up to 14 feet tall and
having flowers bigger
than umbrellas. But it
can cause third degree
burns and blindness.
According to the US
department of
agriculture, contact with
the plant’s sap and
exposure to direct
sunlight can result in
serious injury. The
government warns that
the hogweed is similar to
the Queens Anne’s lace.
If you find a suspected
plant you are asked to
stay away and report it
as soon as possible.
According to the New
York Department of
Health, if you are
exposed to the plant sap,
wash it off immediately
and avoid sunlight. Using
sunscreen on affected
areas may help prevent
further reactions from
occurring when outside.
Call your doctor for any
severe reactions. He or
she may prescribe a
steroid cream to relieve
swelling or inflammation.
For skin irritation, wet
dressings or compresses
soaked in an aluminum
acetate mixture and apply
to skin.

2. NEWS
Hogweed Cont.
Description
Hogweed has a reddish-purple colored stem, each purple
spot is the site of a thick white hair. The plant has
deeply incised leaves that are 1-1.7m in width.
The map above shows the distribution of Hogweed
population in North America.
The plant is an invasive species that was imported to North
America in the early 1900’s. It is native to the Caucasus
region of Eurasia. Its massive size and imposing appearance
made it desirable for arboretums and gardens. It later
escaped its controlled cultivation and spread its routes
throughout North Americas streams, ditches and other moist
habitats.
Giant hogweed grows throughout the Grand River watershed
and tends to grow in undisturbed sites with abundant light, but
it also grows on the forest's edge or partially shaded areas.
The plant is perennial which means it’s flower blooms every
spring. The Hogweed is an invasive species causing it to have
no natural predator letting it spread freely. From this both
citizens and governments have come together to rid North
America of this species. If hogweed is found please call 1-
800-563-7711 for more information.