Hey Hoosiers: Avoid Contact with This ‘Infamous’ Invasive & Toxic Weed
When it comes to invasive plants to avoid, your brain likely jumps to the 'poison' family of plants - poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. However, there is another invasive and toxic weed found in Indiana that can be just as dangerous.
"Infamous," "Invasive," and "Toxic"
Purdue University's Weed Science Extension calls this plant "infamous," as well as "invasive," and "toxic." What is it? The Giant Hogweed - a perennial plant in the carrot family, but you won't want to eat it.
READ MORE: Invasive Cannibalistic Worm Found in Indiana Secretes Neurotoxin
Giant Hogweed Grows to a Massive Size
Found in Indiana, Giant Hogweed, gets its name, in part because of its towering size. It can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet when it flowers. The compound leaves of the plant can sometimes grow to a staggering five feet wide. The stems can reach to 2 to 4 inches in diameter, are covered in bristles and reddish-purple spots, and have a hollow center.
Giant Hogweed is Hardy, Thriving In Many Environments
Giant Hogweed is a fairly hardy weed that can thrive in many environments. You are likely to spot Giant Hogweed in undeveloped lots, "uncultivated wastelands," or along rivers, streams, roads, and railroad tracks.
What Makes Giant Hogweed So Bad?
Contact with the sap of a Giant Hogweed plant can cause sensitivity to sunlight for the affected area, resulting in what is called photo-dermatitis. Skin that has been exposed to the sap of a Giant Hogweed plant, that is then exposed to sunlight may swell, blister, and become painful.
It spreads through tuberous root stocks and forms a solid canopy that chokes out many native plants. More important is the possible impact on human health. This plant should be avoided like you would avoid Poison Ivy. Giant hogweed produces a clear, watery sap that can cause “photo-dermatitis,” which is sensitivity to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). Photo-dermatitis can result in swelling, severe blistering, and painful dermatitis, so avoid contact with exposed skin.
How to Eliminate Giant Hogweed
If you have Giant Hogweed on your property, Purdue University says that digging up the plant is the best non-chemical option. However, they do warn, that much like poison ivy, oak, or sumac, protective clothing should be worn to prevent contact with the skin. As for chemical options, they say glyphosate or triclopyr are your best bet, but may require multiple applications.
READ MORE: This Highly Invasive Hoosier Plant Is Actually Edible
To learn more about Giant Hogweed, check out this helpful PDF from Purdue University Weed Science Extension.
[Source: Purdue University]
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