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Large perennial

by Mary
(Parkhill Ontario)

plant and flower head

plant and flower head

~ 8 ft tall
Perennial - dies off completely each fall and comes up in spring
part shade, needs moisture
base is ~ 10" circumference
previously found by stream in forest and transplanted

Comments for
Large perennial

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GIANT HOGWEED
by: Anonymous

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO AND WARNINGS
When it was finished flowering but before the seeds matured I cut it down (carefully) and dug out as much of the roots as I could. I enjoyed the immensity of the plant and flower but don't want an abundance of them especially with kids running around!
Giant hogweed
by: Moni

Looks like you have some great info on this pest. Glad we don't have it in IA. We do have wild parsnip growing in our roadsides and any unmowed areas, even sparsely wooded areas. It too will yield a skin reaction similar to poison ivy but worse. The area does blister and leave a dark scar area for a long time....I know by experience!
Get rid of it carefully!
WARNING ABOUT HOGWEED-DON'T TOUCH
by: Garden Coach

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), or Giant Cow-parsley, is a member of the family Apiaceae, native to the Caucasus Region and Central Asia. It may reach 2-5 metres (rarely to 7 m) tall. Except for size, it closely resembles Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), Heracleum sosnowskyi or Garden Angelica (Angelica archangelica).

Giant Hogweed is a phototoxic plant. Its sap can cause phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations) when the skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV-rays. 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.[1] Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes, can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness. These reactions are caused by the presence of linear derivatives of furocoumarin in its leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds. These chemicals can get into the nucleus of the epithelial cells, forming a bond with the DNA, causing the cells to die.
Giant Hogweed
by: Anonymous

I just watched a news clip in Ontario, Canada regarding this plant. Please see the attachment I've added. You may want to do some research on Giant Hogweed as apparently there could be potential health risks to having this in your garden.

http://www.mdinvasivesp.org/archived_invaders/archived_invaders_2003_04.html

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