The beast within this beauty

 



New York is among a handful of states experiencing a problem of expanding proportion: Heracleum mantegazzianum.  Hercules...what? What's that?  A lovely looking plant?  Well, what's the problem?  First of all, let's call it by its not-so-pretty name: hogweed.  Sounds nasty, right?  It is.

Hogweed is a plant of gargantuan size--8-14 feet tall--but here's the rub: it's pretty.  And beauty draws us in, summoning us to come closer.  A member of the carrot family, introduced here more than a hundred years ago by Europeans as an ornamental, it looks like a large version of Queen Anne's Lace.  It's impressive head of flat, dazzling white flowers, which can span two-feet across, paired with its mythical size, can easily entice.  But below this beguiling blossom is a thick stem chock full of toxins that can burn and scar skin--and even cause blindness to those unfortunate enough to get its sap in their eyes.  The burns are severe--causing painful blistering, and even blackened skin tone, leading to scarring. 

Don't be fooled by sweeter-sounding names, like the innocuous "cow parsnip," this plant embodies the stuff of childhood nightmares.  Think Snow White's evil queen--seemingly the "fairest of them all," yet, just like the poison apple concealed in her skirt, the tainted sap that seeps from crushed and broken stems, leaves and seed heads can be harmful to an unsuspecting visitor, plucking the plant.

If there's a moral to this cautionary tale, it's look but don't touch.  Not that it will harm those who accidentally brush up against it.  In order for the sap to do harm, it must have somewhat sustained contact with moist skin (such as a sweaty hand touching the stem), and an abundance of sunlight, which appears to trigger the devastating chain reaction.   If you do come in contact with it, wash thoroughly with cold water and dish detergent to get rid of the sap. 

By far, the worst thing you can do is ignore this plant.  From a safe distance, snap a few pictures, and send them to the DEC: ghogweed@gw.dec.state.ny.us. so they can send out a crew to get rid of the threat.  You can also call the "hogweed hotline" at 845-256-3111.