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I'd never seen it before, we were on a bus trip in eastern Europe and the road was lined with a forest of these gigantimus plants with massive flowerheads, absolute monsters. Of course when I asked what in the world the stuff was, the answer was returned in a language I didn't speak. I found out later.
But I saw some here in the Seattle area in a state park just last month. Recognized them immediately. Apparently they are gaining presence in the PNW. I must say they weren't as big as the behemoths I saw in Europe.
The size of the giant hogweed is just astounding. Each leaf is a foot across and held out from the main trunk on a a long thick stem. The central flowerheads on top look a foot in diameter. In Europe I'd say they were 10 or 12 feet tall. These things are massive. They really look like something tropical you'd see. Huge and almost pretty - - until you find out what they are.
There are a few look-a-likes out there: http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds...id/hogweed.pdf. Cow-parsnips is close and does get up to 8 foot high - it also causes skin irritation (just not as bad as the giants).
My feeling is, that if you are clearing your property and encounter this or the look-a-likes, that you want to protect your skin and eyes and try not to make personal contact. With the height of the giant plants you could still make contact on the tractor mounted Brush-Hogs. It is better safe than sorry.
PS I don't think that it is good idea to have young children so close to these dangerous plants as in post #2. I would rather see them farther away.
so are there any programs to eradicate them? Roundup? Plowing? seems like they are a public hazard. here in the South we have kudzu to deal with but it doesn't do anything to people except aggravate us to death.
so are there any programs to eradicate them? Roundup? Plowing? seems like they are a public hazard. here in the South we have kudzu to deal with but it doesn't do anything to people except aggravate us to death.
Here in Canada there has been a national TV education program about this invasive plant, and TV news reports about the serious burns that it can cause. Second and third degree burns, that can require skin grafts. Not some thing that should be ignored.
It is a serious hazard to children's health. If they get the spores on their hands, and then rub their eyes, it can cause blindness, due to the high level of toxicity. It can cause skin burns, too.
Jim B.
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