There’s a new invasive species that’s been spreading across the United States. It sounds like an evil creature straight out of a fairytale—and trust us, you should avoid it just the same.
This dangerous plant is called the giant hogweed and it’s been classified by the government as a noxious weed. It grows to about 14 feet tall and has a thick green, hairy stem with large leaves at the top and white flowers. The reason you should avoid touching it at all costs: It’s covered in toxic sap that can cause painful burns, scarring, and potential blindness. Make sure you’re also watching out for these other summer health dangers.
Giant hogweed is originally from the Caucasus mountain region of Eurasia and was brought over to the United States in the early 1900s through birds and waterways. Because of its large size, it produces about 20,000 seeds that can travel by wind and water thus making it very easy for it to take over. The non-native plant has now been identified in Virginia, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Washington, and Oregon.