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Giant Hogweed

Caution: If you discover giant hogweed on or near your property do not touch it. Do not mow, cut, or weed whack the plant. Seek advice from a professional plant control specialist.

Web image: Giant hogweed can grow up to 12 feet or more in height
Giant hogweed can grow taller than 12 feet
Giant hogweed leaves
Web image: A professional plant control specialist sprays herbicide on a patch of giant hogweed
A professional plant control specialist sprays
herbicide on a patch of giant hogweed
 
 

Giant Hogweed is native to central and southwest Asia. It was introduced to the United States as a garden plant. The earliest recording of the plant in the U.S. is 1917, from Highland Park, New York (outside of Rochester). This noxious plant is now well established in New York State and Pennsylvania, and continues to spread.

Giant hogweed can thrive in many habitats. It grows particularly well in areas where the soil has been disturbed, such as on wastelands, riverbanks, roadsides and along railroads. Its size and rapid growth allow it to quickly dominate an area, if the conditions are right.

Caution must be used if you encounter this plant. It poses a serious health threat to those who come in physical contact with it. The sap, when combined with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, blistering of the skin, scarring and even blindness. If you come in contact with this plant, seek immediate care from a physician. Do NOT attempt to eradicate it on your own. The removal or treatment of this plant should be done with extreme care.

Map of Giant Hogweed Distribution in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has developed a Giant Hogweed Statewide Distribution Map.

Information Resources

The links below will help you learn more about:

  • recognizing giant hogweed on your property

  • dangers of giant hogweed

  • growth habits of giant hogweed

  • eradication and control of giant hogweed

  • distribution of giant hogweed in the New York and the United States

  • other nuisance and invasive plant species

Giant Hogweed: Do Not Touch This Plant! - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Giant Hogweed - USDA NRCS Plants Database
Giant Hogweed - Health Advice - New York State Department of Health - Includes several Adobe PDF documents related to this pest plant.
Giant Hogweed - Invasive.org - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Giant Hogweed Poster - Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service (APHIS) - A color poster that you can download and print for display in your office, school or around your community.
Giant Hogweed, Species Profile - National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) - USDA Natural Agricultural Library
Invasive Plant Council of New York State (IPCNYS)
Invasive Species - USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program
New York State Invasive Species Information

Please visit our Nuisance and Invasive Species pages to learn about other plants and animals that directly impact New York State.

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