Back in 2011, I was in the Town of Liberty Building Department office and was shown a flyer on the bulletin board about Giant Hogweed being discovered in Sullivan County. The NYS DEC had been there and posted information alerting the public about this noxious invasive plant.

Recently I was riding in Ulster County and spotted what I thought might be some Giant Hogweed. It turns out that what I saw was more likely Poison Hemlock (also a nasty toxic invasive) that is a look-alike.

So, what is Giant Hogweed and why is it a problem? It is a Federally listed noxious weed that is actually an herb in the carrot family. Possession is illegal in NY and PA. It is a problem because its sap causes horrible burns.

Do not touch Giant Hogweed if you encounter it. Report it immediately once you confirm what it is. The DEC has a Giant Hogweed information line at (845) 256-3111. From the phone number, it looks like that line is from our local Region 3 Headquarters in New Paltz.

The plants can grow as high as 14 feet with hollow stems up to two inches in diameter. The leaves can grow up to five feet wide, and the white flowers up to two or more feet in diameter. It’s a big plant when fully grown. It kind of looks like Queen Anne’s Lace on steroids.

Giant Hogweed comes from the region between the Caspian and Black Seas called the Caucasus Mountains. How did it get here to the United States? It came the way many of our invasive plants have. It was deliberately brought here in the early 1900s as an ornamental garden plant.

I guess folks liked the large size and thought it was pretty. Apparently, nobody cared that the sap causes severe burns and that the large leaves shade out other plants and contribute to soil erosion.

Giant Hogweed plants can produce up to 100,000 seeds each year and if near a watercourse they can spread far. The seeds can float on water for up to three days as they travel downstream.

The sap from Giant Hogweed contains harmful chemicals that cause sunlight to burn and blister the skin severely. The effects are worse with heat and moisture. The burns can cause scarring that can last for years.

If you are around the plants, wear protective gear. Make sure you wash all clothing with soap. Wash all skin with soapy water as soon as possible.

The good news is that once located, Giant Hogweed can be successfully eradicated. It’s a long process that takes years. The DEC has a step-by-step Giant Hogweed Control Guide with control methods, safety precautions and best practices.

As with all bad invasive species, if you see it, please report it. There are loads of pictures and videos on the DEC website to help with identification. Together we can make a difference.

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.