HAVE YOU SEEN THESE PLANTS?
Giant hogweed, wild parsnip, and poison hemlock are invasive plants that can cause a multitude of human health impacts. The sap of giant hogweed and wild parsnip, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause painful burns and scarring. Poison hemlock does not cause burns, but all parts of the plant are toxic to consume.
These plants look similar, but here are some tips to tell them apart:
Giant hogweed (photos 1-4): green stem with purple blotches and coarse, white hairs; white flower heads up to 2 ½ feet wide; compound leaves are lobed with deep indents and can be up to 5 feet wide.
Wild parsnip (photos 5-8): green stem with deep grooves and no hairs; yellow flower heads 4-6 inches wide; compound leaves with 5-15 leaflets.
Poison hemlock (photos 9-12): waxy, green stem with purple blotches and no hairs; white flowerheads 1-3 inches wide; small, fern-like leaves.
DEC is collecting reports of giant hogweed! If you think you see giant hogweed, take photos of different parts of the plant (the entire plant, stem, leaves, and flowers/seed) while keeping a safe distance. Then, send them to DEC at ghogweed@dec.ny.gov or call the Invasive Plant Information Line at 845-256-3111
For more information on plants that look similar, how to control giant hogweed on your property, and how to report these invasive plants to NY iMapInvasives, see the links in the comments. More information on hogweed and wild parsnip below:
