Giant Hogweed Crops Up in the Area

Monday, 27 July 2015 06:16

Residents are warned to be on the lookout for a dangerous weed that can cause painful blisters, and in some serious cases, blindness.

WOODSTOCK - A dangerous weed has made its way back into our area.

Giant hogweed is a dangerous plant that can grow up between three and four metres in height and has a white bloom in the shape of an umbrella. In terms of appearance, the weed looks something like a larger version of Queen Anne's lace, or purple stemmed angelica, or cow parsnip. It blooms throughout mid-May and July.

The plant is considered very dangerous because coming in contact with the sap can cause painful blistering. Forestry and Habitat Restoration Technician with the Upper Thames Conservation Authority Jay Ebel tells Heart FM why the sap causes so much pain. "The main reason it's a concern with a lot of people is because its sap can cause photodermatitis. So what that is that the sap, when it gets on your skin and then reacts with sunlight it can cause a burn on your skin that's similar to a second or third degree burn, or a chemical burn. And unfortunately a lot of the times by the time you've gone through giant hogweed if you don't know about it, it's already kind of too late." The sap can also cause blindness if it comes in contact with your eyes.

Although giant hogweed has been spotted further north, Ebel says we may have escaped the worst of it here in Woodstock. "We haven't found too much in the east section, so in the Woodstock area, but we have found it in the north - in the northwest section of the watershed and then coming down into the City of London. We've done checks on sightings here in the Woodstock area, and so far everything's turned out to be angelica or cow parsnip. It in the region, but so far it doesn't have a high density or it doesn't have a high population in the area."

So how do you tell giant hogweed apart from the harmless look-a-likes? Ebel says it's all in the details. "The one key thing for the angelica is that the seed head on angelica is spherical so it looks like a globe. And then with the cow parsnip the stem is green - there's no purple splotching." Giant hogweed also has small hair like structures that look almost like small spines.

If you do come into contact with the sap the best thing to do is immediately cover the area and keep it out of direct sunlight. Using soap and water, thoroughly wash the area as quickly as possible.

The best thing to do if you do encounter the plant is to simply leave it alone, and keep all animals and children away from the weed. Report your discovery to the City or the County. Most importantly, do not try to remove it on your own.