Noxious And Poisonous Plants

Jul 22, 2001 - © Robert Moyer, PCFD 2nd Assistant Chief

When your Company is called into action, are you ever thinking of the hazards your local foliage? I didn't think so! How many of those plants and weeds you walk through during a grass fire or motor vehicle accident could cause you serious harm or death? After a short period of research my Fiancee and I came across a list longer than my arm. It was an eye opening find, when I came across a noxious weed a few of our members have been clamoring about for weeks. GIANT HOGWEED.

Giant Hogweed is originally from the Asian Continent and was introduced to this country as an ornamental and coverage plant. A close member to the parsley, its most impressive feature is this plants massize size. I have seen this plant reach heights of ten to fifteen feet, when it is in full blossom. It has very large hollow stems, two to four inches in diameter with purplish and reddish spots. Coarse whitish hairs at the base of theleaf stalk are also purplish in color and each purple spot surrounds a blister-based hair. The massive leaves on thisplants have been known to grow in excess of five feet wide.

Giant Hogweed flowers form mid-May through August, with numerous white flowers clustered in umbrella like shoots, that can reach two and one half feet in diameter across it's flat top. The Giant Hogweed also produces a fruit. The fruit is three eights of an inch long and oval shaped with a rounded base with ridges.

Giant Hogweed prefers a moist soil and can quickly spread along creeks, ravines and other moist, low lying areas. A few of our firefighters have located several bunches of this noxious weed and have reported a very fast rate of spread.

Giant Hogweed is much indeed a public health hazard. It's clear, watery sap has several toxins that cause photo-dematitis. Skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight produces painful, burning blisters that may develop into purplish or blacken scars. It has been reported that its can also cause death, especially in small children.

If you have any information of traetment of exposure or other information pertaining to Giant Hogweed, PLEASE email me.

The copyright of the article Noxious And Poisonous Plants in Emergency Services is owned by Robert Moyer, PCFD 2nd Assistant Chief. Permission to republish Noxious And Poisonous Plants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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