Have you seen this nasty weed? (Giant Hogweed)

[AlchemyAcres]

The posting of another thread brought this plant to mind.....

Giant Hogweed has finally made it's way to this area......I saw it first last year at about this time....likes to spread it's way down watersheds....
Not just noxious, but dangerous!!!!

"Initially the skin colours red and starts itching. Then blisters form as in burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars, which can last several years. Hospitalisation may become necessary. Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes, can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_hogweed

~Martin :o

[bookwormom]

I am sorry to hear this plant has made it to the USA. It is called Hercules plant in my neck of the woods. There are unsuccessful attempts to reduce it in Europe. It just keeps on spreading. Last time we d rove up to Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic we noticed it all along river flats in thick stands. Try pulling that one up.

[harvester]

nothing a teaspoon of gasoline cant cure.

[tomato204]

Sounds bad. We didn't really need another weed here. Do goats eat it?

[fancyfowl]

It is bad stuff. it is in our area of NW Pa. and the state is working to eradicate or at the least stem its spread.

[AlchemyAcres]

I first saw it in Potter County here in PA.
On Kettle Creek near Ole Bull State Park.


~Martin

[momma_to_seven_chi]

The picture in wikipedia makes it look a little bit like parsnip crossed with queen annes lace. Nasty stuff. I hope goat's eat it. If not, hogs will. They eat anything.

[MotherCharlotte]

That's scary. I hate that it looks like Queen Anne's Lace, because I just know some somewhere some little girl is going to see some and try picking it for her mommy. :(

[MelleeRN]

I live in western OK, have not seen it yet, but have heard about it