Did You Know?
A few facts:
- Can cause painful, blistery rashes
- Not toxic to livestock
- Looks similar to native cow parsnip
If you find giant hogweed:
- Don’t try to control on your own
- Contact your local WVU Extension office for assistance
Information by Rakesh Chandran, Ph.D., WVU Extension Weed Science Specialist
Beware of Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed Problems
Imagine breaking out with severe, blistery rashes—much worse than those caused by
poison ivy—after a combination of exposure to a certain weed’s sap and the sun.
This reaction, known as phytophotodermatitis, can be caused by an invasive weed
called giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). It is a short-lived herbaceous perennial that can
grow up to 15 feet tall, producing gigantic, showy, umbel-shaped flowers resembling
that of wild carrot, only much larger.
Giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus region in Europe and Central Asia. It was
introduced to North America as an ornamental, but has escaped cultivation and invaded
natural areas. It has been documented in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania,
Maryland and most recently, Virginia—which is considered to be intentionally planted.
The plants reproduce both vegetatively, through perennating buds on the crown tissue
and root stocks, and by seeds. Despite its vicious sap, it is not toxic to livestock.
Giant hogweed is often confused with the native plant,
cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), which has been reported in several parts of the state.
Cow parsnip also contains the chemical, furocoumarins, that is capable of causing
rashes upon contact with the sap, but the rashes are not nearly as severe as those
caused by its cousin.
Giant Hogweed Identification
The leaves of giant hogweed are more deeply lobed than cow parsnip, resembling fingers
of a palm with pointed tips on leaf margins, as opposed to palm-shaped leaves with
shallow lobes and blunt serrations. The hairs of cow parsnip are fine and downy,
compared to the short stiff hairs of giant hogweed. Other plants that are commonly
mistaken for giant hogweed include
wild parsnip, angelica, elderberry, poison hemlock and giant ragweed, on occasion.
Managing Giant Hogweed
If you see a plant that fits this description, notify your
local WVU Extension office for proper identification, documentation
and possible eradication. But most importantly, don’t touch it!