NY DEC Warns That Giant Hogweed Plant Could Cause Blisters, Blindness

http://newyork.cbslocal.com ^ | July 5, 2011

[Carry_Okie]

And your reason for posting this to me was?

Very similar in appearance to the deadly poison hemlock, Daucus carota is distinguished by a mix of bi-pinnate and tri-pinnate leaves, fine hairs on its stems and leaves, a root that smells like carrots, and occasionally a single dark red flower in its center.

I've taken both into the office of the local public school because they had Conium maculatum growing at the edge of the school "eco-pond" (no, I'm not kidding). The pond is right next to a 40' tall stand of dog-haired fir (trees less than a foot apart) with a sign in front of it indicating the level of weather-related fire risk.

It's a wonder those kids learn anything in such a place.

BTW, the easy way to control hemlock is to trim the flowers.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

What they need is some Kudzu to strangle the Hogweed!

[native texan]

AMEN to that!!

[native texan]

AMEN to that!!

[higgmeister]

And your reason for posting this to me was?

Please don't read to much into it because I suppose my reason was just as obscure as your reason for asking me why.

I scrolled down to see if anyone had looked at Wikipedia and additionally saw there was no comparison to Queen Anne's Lace.

I thought others may like to see the botanical names together.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Kudzu would be a major improvement to NYC. It would give Bloomie something worthwhile to do.

[Carry_Okie]

Well, if warning people of similar variants, while you're at it, why not mention cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), which is Native, it is from the same genus as hogweed, very similar in appearance, can produce the same phototoxic reactions, and is EDIBLE (but ONLY with preparation)? Indians used it both as a food and for medical treatment for wounds.

.

Honestly, while the plant is a problem, this article suggests a bureaucratic hustle for money. It's not kudzu or yellow star thistle.

[LowOiL]

Looks like giant queen anne’s lace.

I agree the flower did to me too.

[ApplegateRanch]

Garden ping worthy?

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

[excerpts]

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.

It has become established in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Seeds may also be distributed by birds and waterways, and can remain viable for over 10 years.

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http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72556.html

Health Hazards & Safety Instructions for Giant Hogweed (with graphic photos)

[ApplegateRanch]

Giant hogweed is a native of the Caucasus Mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas. It was introduced to Europe and the United Kingdom in the late nineteenth century and to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental garden plant.

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

[Nik Naym]

“And they say flowers the size of umbrella’s, on a plant? in New York? Not sure I believe that.”

Are you another one who thinks this entire friggin state is one big asphalt city?

[redhead]

The plant is wild cow parsnip, and it is indeed caustic. My son still has scars from the burns he got from the juice when he handled it as a toddler. The juice will give blisters, scabs, and scars. DON’T TOUCH THIS PLANT!

[jocon307]

“Imagine if I had tried to yank them out of the ground with my bare hands!”

Please, wear gloves. I love gloves, I always wear them when I am working outside.

Also, please wear long pants and CLOSED shoes.

Ladies, too. You should always wear closed shoes when doing housecleaning.

Don’t forget eye protection, that’s important too.

Sorry to be a nanny. Oh, and keep your gloves in the house, not out in the shed. We don’t want to find any nasty bugs in our gloves!

[ApplegateRanch]

The plant is wild cow parsnip,

Nope; giant (Heracleum mantegazzianum) hogweed is wild cow (Heracleum maximum) parsnips's even meaner, bigger cousin.

and it is indeed caustic.

Sort of. Both are phototoxic; UV/sunlight activates it. Extreme blistering & scarring; even minute eye contact can cause permanent blindness.

DON’T TOUCH THIS PLANT!

ABSOLUTELY! DO NOT TOUCH EITHER ONE!

[RadiationRomeo]

So here I am, a 50 year old country boy, and I can still learn something about what’s out in my fields.

Thanks for the warnings everyone.

(Poison Ivy about killed me with high fevers a few times as a kid.)

[Eye of Unk]

Sounds like something an ordinary person could use for a home arsenal.

Just need to make a long range spray type of device, or in a paintball, or even if released from an RC aircraft.

Also sounds like something I would use against any “flash mob”.

[Scythian]

I’m planting a 30 foot think hedge of Hogweed around my compound ...