Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Forest Health invasive plants program specialist, Oshkosh
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
This time of year, calls start rolling in about potential sightings of the invasive plant giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Although occurrences of the plant remain rare in Wisconsin, from late May through early July giant hogweed is often confused with a native plant, cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum).
Both are large plants with similar habitat preferences. They prefer shady areas and are often found along stream banks, roadsides and ditches. Giant hogweed is a prohibited species under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40. Its fast growth rate crowds out native vegetation and erodes soil, and skin contact can potentially cause irritation.
If you’ve come into contact with giant hogweed, you may be worried about phytophotodermatitis, an adverse reaction caused when sap from the plant gets on your skin and is then exposed to sunlight or moisture.
Just brushing up against giant hogweed or cow parsnip should not cause severe irritation. Simple contact with external parts of the plant, such as leaves or flowers, does not cause skin blistering, burning or scarring. For this harsh reaction to occur, giant hogweed must be broken open and contact made with the sap of the plant.
When you come across a plant that you think might be giant hogweed, check for a few key features to decide if it is the undesirable invasive giant hogweed, or the pollinator-friendly cow parsnip.
- Check the height of the plant. Cow parsnip is generally 3-8 feet high; giant hogweed can reach 8-15 feet tall.
- Look at the flower clusters. While both plants have similar shapes, the flower clusters on cow parsnip will top out at about 18 inches across. Giant hogweed lives up to its name and can have clusters that are 1 to 3 feet across.
- Size up the stems. The stems of cow parsnip will be 1 to 2 inches in diameter and mostly green in color with deep ridges. Giant hogweed stems are 2-4 inches in diameter and will have purple spots or blotches.
Still unsure? Check out this online brochure to compare what you’ve found to each plant’s description.
If you believe you have found giant hogweed, please send photos, the location and a description of the plant to firstname.lastname@example.org.
"Mwanamke huyo, Erika Segerson-Mueller, Mtaalamu wa Programu ya Mimea ya Uvamizi ya Afya ya Msitu wa DNR, Oshkosh, alisema: ""Wakati huu wa mwaka, simu zinaanza kuja juu ya uwezekano wa kuona mimea ya uvamizi ya jitu ya hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzium)." Ingawa matukio ya mmea bado nadra katika Wisconsin, kutoka mwishoni mwa Mei hadi mwanzoni mwa Julai hogweed kubwa ni mara nyingi kuchanganyikiwa na mmea wa asili, ng'ombe parsnip (Heracleum upeo). Mimea yote miwili ni mikubwa na ina mazingira yanayofanana. Wao hupendelea maeneo yenye kivuli na mara nyingi hupatikana kando ya kingo za mito, kando za barabara, na kwenye mitaro. Mimea ya aina ya hogweed ni aina ya mimea iliyopigwa marufuku chini ya sheria ya Wisconsin ya spishi za uvamizi NR40. Kiwango chake cha haraka cha ukuzi huondoa mimea ya asili na kuharibu udongo, na kuwasiliana na ngozi kunaweza kusababisha kuchochea. Ikiwa umegusa mimea ya hogweed, unaweza kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya phytophotodermatitis, athari mbaya inayosababishwa na mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea. Kupiga tu shina la ng'ombe au shina la ng'ombe hakupaswi kusababisha uchungu mkubwa. Kuwasiliana tu na sehemu za nje za mmea, kama vile majani au maua, haisababishi ngozi blistering, kuchoma au makovu. Ili athari hiyo kali itokee, ni lazima mti huo upunguliwe na kuwasiliana na maji ya mmea huo. Wakati wewe kukutana na mmea kwamba unafikiri inaweza kuwa hogweed kubwa, kuangalia kwa baadhi ya vipengele muhimu kuamua kama ni ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyo ovyoovyoovyo ovyoovyoovyo. - Angalia urefu wa mmea. Kwa kawaida, parsnip ya ng'ombe huwa na urefu wa meta tatu hadi nane; hogweed kubwa inaweza kuwa na urefu wa mita nane hadi kumi na tano. - Angalia makundi ya maua. Mimea hii ina umbo la kawaida, lakini makundi ya maua ya parsnip ya ng'ombe huonekana kwa urefu wa sentimita 18. Mti huo unaitwa giant hogweed na unaweza kuwa na vipande vya miti vinavyopita mita moja hadi tatu. - Pima vipande vya shina. Mti wa parsnip wa ng'ombe ni wa sentimita 1 hadi 2 kwa kipenyo na kwa kawaida ni wa rangi ya kijani na mipaka ya kina. Mti wa hogweed mkubwa una kipenyo cha inchi 2-4 na utakuwa na madoa ya zambarau au madoa. Bado hujui? Angalia broshua hii mtandaoni kulinganisha kile umepata kwa kila mimea maelezo. Ikiwa unaamini umepata hogweed kubwa, tafadhali tuma picha, eneo na maelezo ya mmea kwa jina la kwanza. jina la mwisho@example.org.