Giant hogweed is a Class A Noxious Weed in Washington State due to its limited distribution in the state and the potential for significant impact to state resources. Public and private landowners are required to control this plant when it occurs on their land.
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Does hogweed grow in Washington state?
Giant hogweed grows in a wide variety of habitats but is most common along roadsides, vacant lots, streams, rivers and open woodlands. Native to temperate parts of Asia, giant hogweed is found primarily in western Washington, though has been found in a few eastern Washington counties.
Where is hogweed found in the US?
It has been found in Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont and Washington, CBS News reported.
How can you tell hogweed?
Giant hogweed: the facts
- The flowers of giant hogweed are clustered on large, umbrella-shaped flower heads.
- Look for purple blotches on stems and coarse hairs around the base of leaf stalks.
- Giant hogweed has deeply divided leaves which give it a jagged appearance.
Where are hogweed plants located?
Giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus Mountains and Southwestern Asia. It has become a widespread weed and a public health hazard. Where does giant hogweed grow in North America? Practically everywhere, but its primary habitats are ravines, roadsides, vacant lots, backyards, stream sides, woods and even parks.
How can you tell if you have giant hogweed?
The main stem of giant hogweed is strong and hollow. It is 4 to 10 cm in diameter. It is covered with rough white hairs scattered all over the stem but mostly at the base of the leaf stalk. It has extensive and prominent reddish-purple blotches.
What should I do if I find hogweed?
Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and keep the area away from sunlight for 48 hours. This plant poses a serious health threat; see your physician if you think you have been burned by giant hogweed. If you think you have giant hogweed on your property, do NOT touch it.
What happens when you touch hogweed?
Giant hogweed burn
Giant hogweed isn’t dangerous as long as you don’t touch its sap. The sap inside the leaves and stalks is what causes burns. It has toxic chemicals called furanocoumarins. When these come in contact with the skin, it causes a reaction called phytophotodermatitis.
Do you need to report Giant Hogweed?
There are no regulations stating that you need to notify anyone Giant Hogweed is growing on your land. However reporting the growth of the plant to the Non-native Species Secretariat website (NNSS) does help with getting a handle on how quickly it’s spreading across the country.
Can hogweed blind you?
If you do, the sap of the plant can cause painful blisters and permanent scarring. If it gets into an eye, it can cause blindness.Experts also suggest seeing a doctor if you have been burned by the plant. For tips on removing Giant Hogweed, click here.
What does common hogweed look like?
The umbel (flower head) can be up to 20cm across with clusters of small white or pinkish flowers. Its wide lower leaves are pinnate and can be up to 60cm in length while its upper leaves are similar just smaller, with the same toothed edges. The stem is hairy, hollow, and grooved.
Is common hogweed toxic?
Common hogweed is not poisonous. It’s also not to be confused with giant hogweed which has very high levels of furanocoumarins in the sap, and any contact with its sap will give you severe phototoxic burns.
How do I get rid of Giant Hogweed?
It is possible to eradicate Giant Hogweed through physical destruction of the plant itself. This can be achieved on a small scale by using a sharp spade and digging through the central root of the plant. If you severe it completely and cause enough damage it is possible to kill the plant this way.
What eats the giant hogweed?
Cattle and pigs are cited as possible biocontrol agents. Both eat giant hogweed without apparent harm. Trampling also damages the plant.
Does hogweed grow in the US?
Where does giant hogweed grow? According to the DEC, the toxic plant grows in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
What do you do if you touch giant hogweed?
What to do if you are Exposed to Giant Hogweed
- Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and COLD water as soon as possible.
- Keep exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours.
- If a reaction occurs, topical steroids applied early can reduce the severity of the reaction and ease discomfort.
Is there hemlock in Washington state?
An aggressive invasive species, poison hemlock rapidly colonizes streambanks, vacant lots, roadsides, pastures, and meadows, especially where the soil is moist, outcompeting native plants and desirable forage species. It is found throughout Washington State.
Can you eat hogweed?
Like many other members of the carrot family, the best part of hogweed is the young leaf shoot, picked before the leaves have properly unfurled. The tastiest way of eating them is to sauté them in butter until they develop a melting texture and a slightly caramelised taste.
Can giant hogweed grow in your garden?
It typically grows along river banks and ravines, as well as heathland. If your garden is adjacent to this type of terrain, you may well find giant hogweed in your garden.
What problems does giant hogweed cause?
Health Concerns
The clear watery sap of giant hogweed contains toxins that can cause severe dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). You can get severe burns if you get the sap on your skin and the skin is then exposed to sunlight. Symptoms occur within 48 hours and consist of painful blisters.
Is everyone allergic to giant hogweed?
Contact with the plant in sunlight produces a reaction in almost everyone, but the severity of the symptoms can vary between individuals. Children are particularly sensitive to Giant Hogweed.
