CAUTION: Contact with this plant can cause SEVERE BURNS!

Contact Work Safe BC for more information at:

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/bulletins/toxic_plants/assets/pdf/tp0602.pdf 

Giant Hogweed is recognized by its massive size; it may grow between 3 - 5 m in height. Once flowering, it has white flowers arranged in clusters that can be up to 1 m in width.

Its hollow, rigid stalk is 6 - 10 cm in diameter with dark reddish-purple spots and bristles. The leaves resemble very large, jagged maple leafs and can expand to 1.5 m in width.

Download the Giant Hogweed brochure here.

Look-alike weeds:

• Cow Parsnip: grows from between 1 - 3 m in height. The stem does not have purple spots, and the leaves are smaller and less jagged than those of Hogweed.

Links:

Work Safe BC
http://www.worksafebc.com/ 

Invasive Plant Council of BC
http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/invasive-plants-bc/invasive-plant-watch/giant-hogweed 

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (Pest Management)
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/ghogweed.htm