Hogweed Infestation in NY Causing 2nd Degree Burns

[willpower]

Can cause blindness and dark scarring that takes years to heal. http://www.businessinsider.com/this-...p-on-it-2011-7 Video Report (in Norweigian) http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7163227

 

[fleet on feet]

Wow that is some pretty nasty stuff. Do you know why there was an outbreak of Hogweed?

 

[vaalbara]

Originally Posted by fleet on feet

Wow that is some pretty nasty stuff. Do you know why there was an outbreak of Hogweed?

apparently it was originally introduced to britain as an ornamental plant, and it spread from there - though why anyone would think that a plant that causes rashes & blisters would be great as an ornament is a mystery to me.

 

[fleet on feet]

Having that as an ornamental plant seems like a terrible idea, although the flower does look almost identical to queen anne's lace.

 

[willpower]

Originally Posted by fleet on feet

Wow that is some pretty nasty stuff. Do you know why there was an outbreak of Hogweed?
Don't know why, but here are the NY stats. Seems to be spreading eastward.

 

[Costanza]

Originally Posted by fleet on feet

Having that as an ornamental plant seems like a terrible idea, although the flower does look almost identical to queen anne's lace.

Until forty or fifty years ago no one knew any better. My most despised north american exotic is ailanthus, the "stinky tree," or "tree of heaven." Starlings are a close second.

As for hogweed, look at the leaves. They are very different to those of QAL. Big, broad and lobed. The stalks are heavier to. I'm going to memorize that form...

 

[Costanza]

and they are BIG!

 

[Bill Smith]

I have seen a few examples of Giant Hogweed out in the wild (and not close either) and if there was ever one weed that should face extinction, this would be it. Don't even think of burning them because the smoke/sap mixture will destroy your lungs.

 

[Costanza]

Originally Posted by Bill Smith

I have seen a few examples of Giant Hogweed out in the wild (and not close either) and if there was ever one weed that should face extinction, this would be it. Don't even think of burning them because the smoke/sap mixture will destroy your lungs.

So what do you do? Bag it, and then clean your tools?

 

[lefty]

I have it around my cabin in ON. Kill it with heavy duty chemicals, then cut it and bag it along with the gloves you used.

Pain **********.

lefty

 

[Costanza]

Originally Posted by lefty

I have it around my cabin in ON. Kill it with heavy duty chemicals, then cut it and bag it along with the gloves you used.

Pain **********.

lefty

With shirt sleeves down I guess... and a balaklava. How far north in ON?

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by willpower

Don't know why, but here are the NY stats. Seems to be spreading eastward.

****, I didn't realize it was so widespread in Western NY. Please stay away from the rest of the state

 

[lefty]

Originally Posted by Costanza

With shirt sleeves down I guess... and a balaklava. How far north in ON?

About an hour north of Peterborough.

Yes, covered with a disposable overalls which also get tossed.

lefty

 

[Nosu3]

never heard of hogweed. looks similar to poison hemlock:

and wild carrot weed, which is edible. the fuzzy stem and singular flower bulbs distinguish it. you can cook the root if the plant is younger. use the seeds as a mild contraceptive if you dont have access

 

[fleet on feet]

Wow carrot weed and Hogweed would be quite a costly mix-up

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