I had to walk through a bunch of this today. Or should I say I made sure that I walked AROUND this particular nasty weed. Who can guess what it is?
Looks like Giant Hogweed...nasty :-O
Why is it evil?
> Why is it evil?
Put some down in your underwear and find out why...
yuk-yuk...
Put it this way, you'll get some nasty blisters and scars for the rest of the summer if you come in contact with it.
> Looks like Giant Hogweed...nasty :-O
That didn't take long. Also known as poison parsnip.
I know someone who walked through a huge patch of this stuff with shorts on not knowing what it was. Needless to say his legs were covered with blisters shortly and he didn't work for the rest of the summer.
Around these parts, cow parsnip or locally known as 'puchki' is your evil weeds' twin sister. While edible like celery when young, the sap of older plants reacts with sunlight to leave you with oozing itching sores that are slow to heal and leave scars behind for years. I speak from personal experience.
It looks just as evil.
WOW!!
I wouldn't even know it was. I guess I'm very glad that it's not indigenous to my locale.
Where is it found in the US?
I'm sure we don't have it.
Thankfully, Virginia apparently does not have any infestations of it. 🙂
Where is it found in the US?
Don't know why it wouldn't grow in Kansas. It's all over the roadside ditches in Iowa.
:good: :good:
"..While edible like celery .."
That is so wrong.
Found in 16 States
Giant hogweed is a perennial or long-lived biennial that grows in a rosette until a flower stalk bolts. Multiple leaves as large as three- to five-feet long are deeply divided and lobed. Both leaves and stems are covered in fine prickly hairs, and stems are often tinged with purple blotches. Flowering plants can attain heights of 15 feet in fertile flowerbeds, with umbrella-like clusters of flowers that look much like Queen Anne’s lace and measure up to two-feet across. In addition to being dangerous, giant hogweed also is highly invasive, especially along waterways. It was declared a federal noxious weed in 1983, and several states have begun eradication programs to assist property owners with infestations in flowerbeds, yards, stream banks, roadsides and forest edges. Fortunately, giant hogweed has limited distribution in the United States, and local efforts to eradicate this invasive plant are achieving success. Currently 16 states have wild populations of giant hogweed, including: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin and Vermont.
Identification and Comparison - similar plants
Scroll down for the comparison chart
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html
Some of these plants cause phytophotodermatitis, i.e. the skin is sensitized to light. So if you accidentally get into it, change clothes and cover up the skin that was exposed.
Found in 16 States
I've never come across it in CT...interesting.
i have heard it called 'devils club' in alaska. is that the one?
Devil's club
Devil's club is another plant up here in Alaska. Not poisonous, roots are used for medicinal purpose by the natives. However, it's called devil's club for a darn good reason. The woody stalk is real springy and completly covered in long, thin and extremly sharp thorns. When you step on it you have to be careful it doesn't come springing back on you and leave you impailed with dozens of the thorns. They will go right through denim but carharts make for good armor against them.
Devil's Club in the NW US is a very different plant with big leaves much the shape of maple. Millions of needles all over the stalks and leaves typically on the banks of creeks. Grab that to prevent falling into the creek and you will know where the name comes from.
We have what we call the Devil's Walking Stick, may be the same plant
It grows very straight and is the perfect size for a walking stick or backsite lath and has long sharp thorns the full length
Makes a very good guard stake for monuments
😉
