GIANT HOGWEED

Granville, MA - This is a photo of a patch of Giant Hogweed. Hogweed was introduced as early as 1917 to be used in landscape settings.

I noticed this patch on the side of the road and stopped to take a photo. It's hard to judge from the photo but these plants are about 12 feet high. The plants grow up to a height of 14 feet, the stems are 2-4 inches in diameter, the leaves grow up to five feet long, and the flower clusters reach up to 2 1/2 feet across. Giant Hogweed is a health hazard because if the stem is broken and the watery sap comes in contact with your skin and exposed to sunlight it can develop painful, burning blisters that could eventually turn into purple or brownish pigmentation and scarring. The states of Massachusetts and Connecticut have hotlines to call if this weed is spotted. Both states have eradication programs.

Info: Massachusetts Dept. of Food and Agriculture