Warning! Please Read.

Thanks Doc!!! I just sent the links to Swmbo. It looks like we have it in Oregon.
 
thanks doc most of my time in nature is texas but i did live in oregon for 2 yrs. down here it's all about poison ivy & oak. dennis. beggar lice are real bad this year & i have a pair or sneakers that i'm going to have to wash in sink with a stiff brush. i usually throw the socks away.
 
Thanks for the warning, this plant is common in London.

Coincidentally, we took a machete on a perch fishing trip last week and hacked away most of the Giant Hogweed by our local canal. I didn't suffer any ill effects but I won't be doing that again!
 
Roughly translated we call it "bear claw". Annoying plant for sure.

When I was reading this thread I thought to myself "Never heard of this plant before. Should look up some info about".

Saw the pictures on wiki and recognized it. It's not as nasty as OP made it sound but the sap is irritating.
 
Crap, I am a forester and work outside all day and I had no idea this plant even existed, I will be keeping my eyes out for it for sure from now on.

Thanks for the heads up Doc, I appreciate it.
 
Magnussen said:
As bad as it seems.... there are much worse that we could come in contact with. Plants like this give themselves away with their spiny stalks and just plain "look at me" appearance. Giant Hogweed is no joke and I'm not downplaying its potential for harm but I think the more common hidden dangers are what we really need to focus on.

When I say "worse" I am refering to potential of exposure not the severity of the symptoms. For example... Pitbull attacks are often more severe but the common Cocker Spaniel has a much worse history of unprovoked attacks.
Click to expand...

This plant has been around for decades and only now has there been any concern/complaints about it. I think the hype about this plant is overrated. It reminds me of the peanut allergy scare, for some its a real danger, and for others it's no big deal.

However, to be on the safe side, recognize the plant and avoid contact with the plant is a good idea, but to spend time and energy trying to erradicate it will prove futile at best.
 
eygen said:
It's not as nasty as OP made it sound but the sap is irritating.
Click to expand...

It is exactly just as nasty as the OP makes it out to be.

=390956.501.jpg


6.jpg


5.jpg
 
Wow, those are some nasty pics...

Giant hogweed is a native of the Caucasus Mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas. It was introduced to Europe and the United Kingdom in the late nineteenth century and to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental garden plant.
Click to expand...

An ornamental plant ? Couldnt just be satisfied with rose bushes huh ?........


Interesting thread , thanks OP.

Tostig
 
I have seen it in the NE, but not down in TN yet. Never really thought about the stuff so a bit of knowledge is a good thing.
 
Sadly this is a pretty voracious invader in the UK. Thankfully its easy to identify.

Would hate to get screwed over by it....eeek!
 
Magnussen said:
So is common poison ivy.....
Click to expand...

Rick, you're trying to make a point, but I'm sorry, I'm not getting it. The reason for the post is to make people aware of a hazardous plant that they
may not be aware of. I know I wasn't, and I have a big interest in wild plants.

OTOH, most, if not all, outdoor people are aware of Poison Ivy.

Maybe you can clarify for me.

Doc
 
is this also referred to as cow parsnip? its prevalent in oregon and wash. esp west of the cascades. it appears to be a member of the carrot family. which contains not only many varieties that are wonderful food sources, but just as many that appear similar, but are deadly poisonous.
 
sadiejane said:
is this also referred to as cow parsnip? its prevalent in oregon and wash. esp west of the cascades. it appears to be a member of the carrot family. which contains not only many varieties that are wonderful food sources, but just as many that appear similar, but are deadly poisonous.
Click to expand...

It kinda looks like cow parsnip on steroids, doesn't it? I think it's related, but I have to assume that it's a different plant though, since I've handled cow parsnip (thinking I'd found a huge Queen Anne's Lace) and there were no ill effects.
 
Bufford said:
This plant has been around for decades and only now has there been any concern/complaints about it. I think the hype about this plant is overrated. It reminds me of the peanut allergy scare, for some its a real danger, and for others it's no big deal.

However, to be on the safe side, recognize the plant and avoid contact with the plant is a good idea, but to spend time and energy trying to erradicate it will prove futile at best.
Click to expand...

Apparently the plant has been around for decades, but not around here. Its range is expanding and we have it here, now.

sadiejane said:
is this also referred to as cow parsnip? its prevalent in oregon and wash. esp west of the cascades. it appears to be a member of the carrot family. which contains not only many varieties that are wonderful food sources, but just as many that appear similar, but are deadly poisonous.
Click to expand...

Hey sadiejane, the plant commonly considered as Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum or H. lanatum) is in the same genus but is a different species than Giant Hogweed. However, the hazards are apparently similar, although, maybe not as virulent.

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) also has these properties.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Rick, you're trying to make a point, but I'm sorry, I'm not getting it... Maybe you can clarify for me.

Doc
Click to expand...

Sometimes I don't understand where I'm coming from either, Doc.... lol.

It must have just been all the articles I read of how dangerous and how much of a menace this plant is. I wanted to make a point of it being meerly another plant to be aware of... not to fear. That it has no more potential to harm than poison ivy, nightshade, Jack in the pulpit..... the list goes on.

I was getting the feeling like this was going to turn into a "Holy crap they are attacking!" thread. Which, in looking back through, it really wasn't.:o

Just nod your head and say... "Yes, Rick... we understand, Rick.... there, there little man." and I'll stop posting.

:pRick
 
(Nodding my head) Thanks Rick, I understand.... :rolleyes: :D

That it has no more potential to harm than poison ivy
Click to expand...
:eek: Wow, considering that apparently,Poison Ivy has been fatal (ingested smoke from burning PI) for a few unfortunates, that's saying quite a bit. :eek

Actually, I'm going to have to check about Poison Ivy fatalities. I've heard it mentioned quite a few times before, but haven't checked it out, myself.

Doc
 
Again... I can't seem to explain myself properly.... I meant "potential" as in you have the same likelyhood (obviously less) to come in contact with Hogweed than poison ivy..... not that they match eachother in toxicity.

As a trail mantenance worker for Parks Canada, I came in contact with a variety of nasty plants... poison ivy was the most prevalent. The guys used to think I was nuts pulling it out by hand. They would use weed-wackers. I found out early that jewelweed is the best treatment/preventative available and never had a single problem. They found out that emulsified (weed-wacked) poison ivy gets everywhere, including your lungs and nose. One gentleman spent 4 days in the hospital because of it. What did Parks Canada do? In there infinite wisdom, they closed that particular trail to protect the visitors from the horrible menace of a weed. I guess they figured that patch of poison ivy was more vicious than the rest.

I'll shut up now....... he he...

Rick
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top