The Rural Voice, 2003-10, Page 51Advice
Giant hogweed
can be a
dangerous
playtoy
for children
By John Benham
Wellington County Weed Inspector
Know it and beware of it.
Recently I have had calls about giant
hogweed. We certainly have it in
Wellington.
Although not as widespread as
Ragweed and Poison Ivy it definitely
is a threat to public health. If you are
unfortunate enough to have some of
the sap touch your skin blisters
followed by scabbing causing
scarring is the result.
Another danger is to children who
cut off portions of the stem and since
they are hollow use them as
blowpipes. The result is a stay in the
hospital.
It is very large, usually 12 to 16
feet tall in the second year with a
flower head up to four feet across
and loaded with seed. The leaves
may reach 40 inches across and are
divided into three leaflets, which in
turn are further divided into sharply
pointed teeth.
The main stem may reach four
inches across and is hollow between
the nodes and will be spotted with
reddish purple sharp irregular bumps.
The flower head could be compared
to Wild Carrot in that the umbel
divides into 30 to 50 branches which
in turn consists of another umbel of
30 to 40 flowers. The whole head is
flat on the bottom with slightly
rounded top and white.
It could possibly be confused with
a similar but slightly smaller plant
call Angelica and also Cow Parsnip
again slightly smaller.
Giant Hogweed is not user
friendly and should be not allowed to
set seed or a grove of these plants
can result. Beware!0
atdanudirc
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OCTOBER 2003 47