Health officials warn of 'Giant Hogweed' plants
Aug 5th 2015 1:07AM
-- Somewhere in Calhoun County, a rare, yet highly noxious weed has been located.
The Calhoun County Health Department is confirming that "Giant
Hogweed" has been identified in the county. The exact location is not
being released, to keep people from searching for it and potentially
being exposed to it.
According to the health department, direct, bare-skin contact with
the sap-covered leaves, roots, flowers, seeds or hairs on the stem of
the plant can cause painful blisters and long-lasting scars.
The hogweed that was found was removed by Robert Coward of the WBCK Garden Show and the area where it was found will be monitored for the next several years to see if any new plants sprout up.
VIDEO
Take a look at these pictures to see the plant:
PHOTO GALLERY | 1 of 5 IMAGES
CAN BE SEEN - LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
** ADV. FOR MONDAY, AUG. 12 ** The flowering tops of a 12-foot tall
giant hogweed or Heracleum mantegazzianum, stands growing in North
Canaan, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, before being cut down. The
hogweed, new to Connecticut, is considered a noxious weed that can give
blistering, oozing rashes to anyone who touches it's sap. The plant, on
the federal noxious weed list, has been infiltrating the northeast this
summer. (AP Photo/Steve Miller)
"Giant Hogweed" can be identified by the dark red or purple spots and
bristles on the green stem, the white flower heads that produce
thousands of seeds, and the green leaves located at the base that grow
to 5 feet in diameter.
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The plant, which can grow to 18 feet in height, flowers from late spring
to mid-summer
and is biennial (appears every other year).
and is biennial (appears every other year).
If you think you've discovered "Giant Hogweed" in your yard,
call your local health department.
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