Giant Hogweed Plant Can Cause 3rd Degree Burns and Blindness!

[SeaBreeze]

First I've ever heard of this plant, although it looks familiar to me, I've probably just seen Queen Anne's Lace. More here.

"Giant Hogweed" sounds like a mythical plant that the students of Hogwarts may study, but it's real -- and it's dangerous.

The plant grows in the wild and touching it can cause third-degree burns and even blindness. Giant hogweed was recently spotted in Virginia for the first time and may also grow in other states. Warnings have been issued in previous years after discoveries in Michigan, New York and elsewhere in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

The latest confirmed sighting of giant hogweed came in Clarke County, Virginia. It was identified by researchers at the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech, who say there are about 30 plants in the area.


Giant hogweed is part of the carrot family, and for a toxic plant, it is surprisingly pretty. It can grow up to 14 feet tall, with thick leaves stretching two to five feet across and large clusters of white flowers gracing the top of the plant in an umbrella pattern.

The spray of white flowers looks similar to Queen Anne's Lace, but the experts at Massey Herbarium note that giant hogweed is much larger, with chunkier leaves.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

We have Queen Anne's lace also and it sure looks a lot alike.

 

[Aunt Bea]

They have been creeping into my area from the western part of New York State.

The state conservation department is tracking them and attempting to help stop them but I think it is a losing battle.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Thanks Bea, good photo of them too! I hope they're able to control them.

 

[Aunt Bea]

It seems like we've had so many invasive species of plants, bugs, fish, etc... over the last fifty years and no real way to control or eliminate any of them.

The first one that I remember was the Dutch Elm disease or maybe the spread of the Kudzoo vine.

I think that all we can do is learn to adapt.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Poison Parsnip in Vermont Causes Burns and Blisters

More here.

A woman was left with severe burns and blisters on her legs after encountering an invasive species of plant in Vermont.

Charlotte Murphy says she developed painful blisters overnight after brushing against poison parsnip. Murphy says the blisters got so bad she had to go to the hospital to see a burn specialist.
The Essex woman learned her injuries were comparable to second-degree burns and were caused by the invasive plant.

David Grass of the Vermont Department of Health says the sap in the parsnip has a chemical reaction with the sun that causes accelerated burns. He says people should wear long pants and sleeves while in tall grass.

Murphy says she hopes her experience helps educate people.

 

[Meanderer]

The case of The Giant Hogweed!