| giant hogweed |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: HEMA17 USDA ARS GRIN: 18896 ITIS: 502954 NAPIS: PFFAQBC |
| Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Apiales: Apiaceae |
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Giant hogweed is a tall (up to 15-20 ft. [4.6-6.1 m]), herbaceous, biennial plant that invades disturbed areas across both the Northeast and Pacific Northwestern United States. Giant hogweed is designated as a Federal Noxious Weed, because it produces sap that causes skin sensitivity to UV radiation and leads to blistering and severe burns. The large stem is hollow and usually marked with purple blotches. The leaves are deeply lobed, sharply pointed, and up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer. The white flowers are on a large umbrella-shaped head at that can be up to 2.5 ft. (0.8 m) in diameter. Giant hogweed can invade a variety of habitats but prefers moist, disturbed soils such as riverbanks, ditches and railroad right-of-ways. Giant hogweed is native to Europe and Asia. It was first introduced into the United States in 1917 for ornamental purposes. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
- Fact Sheet - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Donna R. Ellis, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Stem cross-section Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stem(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Donna R. Ellis, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Mericarp (7)9-12 mm long x 6-8(10) mm broad, strongly flattened dorsally USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; in flower Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; In winter Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, University of Silesia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Damage; Burn caused by plant (left leg, person lying down) USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Control; Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Control; Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 1994.
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Invasive Plant Council of New York State
- Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2005
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- California Noxious Weeds
- Connecticut Noxious Weeds
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Idaho Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Minnesota Noxious Weeds
- North Carolina Noxious Weeds Class A
- New Hampshire Noxious Weeds
- Ohio Noxious Weeds
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- Pennsylvania Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Noxious Weeds
- Vermont Noxious Weeds
- Washington Noxious Weeds
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