By Stephen Smoot
It has been seen in the wild in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia, but not yet in West Virginia. Giant hogweed, however, continues to knock on the doorway of the Mountain State and at some point, will likely arrive in state.
The family of plants that includes carrots also produces multiple plants harmful to humans. Beautiful but potentially deadly giant hogweed, which originated in the Caucasian Mountains and first arrived in America in a New York City garden, poses one of the worst threats from the plant kingdom.
It grows 15 feet tall and resembles the harmless Queen Anne’s lace and mildly poisonous cow parsnip. The plant has an unusual, but extremely dangerous, natural defense mechanism. Its clear sap contains toxins called furocoumarins. These invade the body and target strands of DNA by, as Scientific American puts it “scrambling” the basic human genetic code.
It does this by binding to the “bases” that help to construct DNA. In this case, it compromises the affected area’s natural defenses against ultraviolet light from both the sun and artificial sources. An affected person’s skin will blister and burn rapidly in a process called phytophotodermatitis.
The sap causes extreme burns in humans, but, according to the West Virginia University Extension Service, will not harm livestock. In fact, the Natural Resources Conservation Service identifies livestock grazing as one means of effective control.
Attempts at mechanical control can help, specifically root cutting and plowing. NRCS states that “best results are obtained if the established vegetation of invasive hogweed plants are controlled mechanically or chemically (through recommended herbicides) prior to plowing.
The large and heavy seeds do not travel far, so the plant tends to saturate a small area. Its large, umbrella shaped flower at the top of the plant causes the giant hogweed to serve as a threat to native plant life due to its thick and broad shade.
If a giant hogweed plant is identified, officials urge that it be reported immediately to the WVU Extension Service for official documentation and response. Any attempt at removal that might cause the sap to spread presents a danger to those attempting the task who are not wearing protective clothing.
Giant hogweed has caused cases of blindness when sap comes into contact with the eyeball. The British Daily Mail reports that dogs brushing up against the plant have carried the sap to human contact.
Contact with the sap also has the potential to cause permanent problems. Some have reported sensitivity to the sun in the affected area months or years later. Recovery from the initial burn can take months.
Doctors suggest that those who come into contact with the sap immediately use soap and water to wash away the toxins, then seek medical help as soon as possible.
