Giant Hogweed -- Don't Touch!

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 13:33
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The Third Circle: Gardening and Composting

Here's an article from today's Business Insider warning about giant hogweed. I think I had this in my yard once. There are also some similiar-looking plants like wild parsnip that also should not be touched with bare hands to avoid any"phytophotodermititis."

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-giant-hogweed-plant-virginia-2018-6

Sophie Gale

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 01:01

More info, pictures here:

http://greenwizards.com/node/672

David Trammel's picture

David Trammel

Mon, 07/02/2018 - 20:45

Here's some additional info and where you can forward pictures if you think you have it in your yard. Sounds like nasty stuff.

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/expo/news/erry-2018/06/f2e509cfd11171/hor...

Sophie Gale

Tue, 07/03/2018 - 01:22

It seems odd that no one seems to have any practical use for the stuff even in its homeland... Something this nasty would make a heck of a privacy fence.

I could probably think of some magic spells.

In rooting around as it were, I came across a reference that parsnips (a cousin) could also have similar irritants if wintered over in the garden and then allowed to go to seed.

http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/pastinaca_sativa.htm