giant hogweed SITEs (2014 Data)

Giant Hogweed Life Cycle

Beware
Giant Hogweed!

Seedling Young Plant

1 >100
Pre-Flowering Plants
(spring/summer) See www.dec.ny.gov for annual updates
Leaves sprout from
overwintering roots for
several years until
plant flowers.
Older Plant

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Flowering Plants
(mid-summer) ghogweed@dec.ny.gov
After several www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html
years of growth,
the plant flowers. Giant Hogweed Hotline
1-845-256-3111

Seeds Division of Lands and Forests

(late summer) Forest Health and Protection
Average flowering plant
21 South Putt Corners Road
produces 20,000 seeds.
New Paltz, NY 12561 Dont Touch This Plant!
Find Out How To
Dead Stems
(late fall/winter) After Identify it
producing seeds that
germinate in following
Protect yourself
years, the plant dies, Report it
leaving stems and
seed heads standing.
Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org We can help!

Giant hogweed is a VERY LARGE, What to Do if You See Protect Yourself

non-native, invasive plant that can
cause painful burns, permanent Giant Hogweed:
scarring and even blindness. Brushing against or breaking the
Identify plant releases sap that, combined
U
 se this brochure and see
with sunlight and perspiration, can
Skin burned and scarred by giant hogweed sap www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html
to try to make a positive identification. cause a severe burn within
Many plants look similar to giant hogweed. 24 to 48 hours.

Photograph Dont use a weed-whacker; sap may

E
 ntire plant, stem, leaves, flower, seed.
High resolution preferred. Well need splatter as stems are cut.
them to confirm identification.
If the plant touches your skin,
Report immediately wash the area with soap
E
 -mail DEC ghogweed@dec.ny.gov or call and water and protect from sunlight
the Giant Hogweed Hotline: 1-845-256-3111. for 48 hours.
Control
If giant hogweed is confirmed, DEC will
contact the landowner and may visit to See more precautions at
assess the site and discuss management www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72556.html
options, as resources allow.
Bob Kleinberg

Day 5 Day 8 Month 5

Controlling Giant Hogweed

Controlling giant hogweed is challenging, but it
Giant hogweed was brought to North can be eradicated after repeated efforts. DEC
America from the Caucasus region of uses the most effective methods, including:
Eurasia as a garden plant in the early Cutting through the plant root
1900s, but escaped cultivation. It spreads Using herbicide
quickly, especially along roads and streams, Removing flowers and seed heads
taking over untended land, crowding out
It is safest to begin in the growing season
other plants and causing soil erosion. NYS when the plants are small.
law prohibits possession of giant hogweed
with the intent to sell, import, purchase,
If you decide to attempt control yourself,
transport, introduce or propagate.
call for advice 1-845-256-3111 DEC workers conducting hogweed control
How To Flowers

Identify
Numerous small white flowers
cluster into a flat-topped
umbrella up to 2 feet across.
Late June/July

Giant
Hogweed

Height
8 to 14 feet tall
when flowering

Stem
Hollow, ridged,
up to 4 inches
across, with purple
blotches and
coarse white hairs
circling the stem,
especially at the
base of the
leaf stalks

Leaves
Lobed, deeply cut,
up to 5 feet across

Plants Often Mistaken For Giant Hogweed. These Plants May Also Cause Burns.

Cow Parsnip Angelica Queen Annes Lace Wild Parsnip

Shorter (5 - 8 tall) and more slender; stem Usually shorter (4- 9 tall); stem smooth and Shorter (1- 3 tall) with Shorter (up to 5 tall); smooth
ridged, with fine hairs; green or may have a waxy, green to purple (not blotched); flower smaller flower clusters stem with grooves; flower cluster
purplish hue, but not blotched; smaller, flat- cluster softball-size and shape; compound (up to 4 across); lacy, yellowish-green. DONT TOUCH!
topped flower cluster leaves made up of smaller leaflets fern-like leaves Can Cause Severe Burns

See additional similar plants at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html