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Farm Products Bureau
Pesticide Bureau
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Bureau of Farm Products and Plant Industries
Pest Alert
Giant Hogweed
NEW!!! Media Advisory
Poisonous Plants Media Outreach & Education Page.
updated December 2006
This invasive plant is native to central Asia. Its sap can cause severe skin irritation and blindness. Wear protective clothing and eyewear when removing.
| Common name: |
Giant Hogweed |
| Scientific name: |
Heracleum mantegazzianum |
Confirmed Massachusetts sites.
[Note: Control status is noted for known giant hogweed stands within each
town].
|
Andover
(eradicated) |
Blandford
(control efforts in progress) |
Boston
(near eradiaction) |
Gill
(control efforts in progress) |
Granville
(control efforts in progress) |
Groton
(near eradication) |
New Marlboro
(control efforts in progress) |
North
Brookfield
(near eradication) |
Sandwich
(eradicated) |
| Southwick(control efforts in progress) |
Sutton
(control efforts in progress) |
Turners Falls
(control efforts in progress) |
Wakefield
(eradicated) |
Westfield
(control efforts in progress) |
West Springfield
(control efforts in progress) |
|
| Other states: |
Established in New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington State.
Reported in Maine, Michigan, and Washington DC.
|
| Impact: |
Hogweed is a public health hazard. Its clear, watery sap has toxins that cause
photo-dermatitis. Skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight produces
painful, burning blisters that may develop into purplish or blackened
scars. Contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. |
| Description: |
A biennial or perennial herb growing 8 to 15 feet tall, giant hogweed usually has a taproot or occasionally fibrous root. The hollow stems are 2 to 4 inches in diameter with dark reddish-purple splotches and coarse white hairs.
The deeply incised compound leaves grow up to 5 feet in width. Hairs on the underside of the leaf are stiff, dense and stubby.
The large umbrella-shaped flower heads are up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter
across a flat top with numerous small flowers produced in mid-May through
July.
Some plants die after flowering; others flower for several years. The plant
produces flattened, 3/8 inch long, oval dry fruits that have a broadly
rounded base and broad marginal ridges. Plants sprout in the early spring
(or late winter in mild years) from the roots or from seed.
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| Similar species commonly confused with Giant Hogweed: |
Cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea), Wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris), Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).
Click here for a comparison of giant hogweed and similar species.
|
| Control methods: |
Call the MDAR Division of Regulatory Services at 617-626-1779 for guidance on controlling this pest. |
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Have you seen this weed?
(Click to view a larger image.)
 IDENTIFY Giant Hogweed
REPORT Giant Hogweedby filling out this on-line form
or call the Hogweed Hotline at 617-626-1779
More giant hogweed information...
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