While you enjoy the outdoors "Beware the Giant Hogweed"
According to the DEC, the toxic plant grows in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
This weed will cause blistering, sensitivity to sunlight and may even cause blindness.
Even mans best friend can suffer from contact with this plant.
Additional reading:
http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/giant-hogweed-8-facts-you-must-know-about-the-toxic-plant/4/
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/hogweed.shtml
https://www.abinvasives.ca/factsheets/140520-fs-gianthogweed-2.pdf
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I grew up in Michigan, but don't remember running across any of them and I'm damned glad I didn't! Got Poison Ivy just about every year between 8 and 11 though. That was bad enough!
To my recollection, I have never seen one but from now on, I'll be looking.
I have actually seen this plant but it was in Ontario, Canada where is is plentiful.
Ontario, Canada? That's where I lived since I was born until almost 9 years ago. We had a ravine right behind our home and I spent a big part of my life playing in it. I recall only being warned about and seeing poison ivy.
Here is a link Buzz:
Giant hogweed has a scattered distribution across southern and central Ontario, south of the line from Manitoulin Island to Ottawa .
It was found in Indiana in 2013 so the spread just keeps marching along.
Oh my gosh! Those blisters are horrible! I will watch carefully for them!
Thanks for the head's up!
So it has spread into Michigan since after I left about 25 years ago. Which would explain why I have never seen it.
I have neverseen one, but I will be sure to avoid it, if I come into sight of one.
Good info Larry.
The effects can last for months.
My enemy is the Bottle Brush plant.
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Indiana plus parts of Canada.
What does that BB plant do Larry ?
This from the link you provided:
Perhaps it is from the use of the word "becoming" a more recent problem than when I was a kid.
I just saw something from a friend of mine on facebook about this , followed the link and it led to a story out of England , but adviced where it grew here in the states , the thing they stressed is its a chemical type burn , and needs immediate treatment , AND the effects and healing can last andtake YEARS. this isn't your normal poison ivy ,oak , or sumac.
Callistomon!
What's you issue with it Larry?
From what I read it's a fairly benign ornamental. with over 40 different varieties.
I am very allergic to it for some reason. My skin breaks out in itching and if I don't shower quick enough it cause a swelling that can be very uncomfortable for me. So I make sure to give it a wide berth. Fortunately it does not grow here in Colorado.