Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Giant Hogweed

Warnings have been issued for southern Ontario regarding giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) aka giant cow parsley.  This is a  perennial, invasive noxious weed that reaches a height of 5 metres is a public health risk.  The sap contains furocoumarin, a chemical that renders skin extremely susceptible to UV exposure resulting in severe burns and blistering (phytophotodermatitis).  This can result in purplish to black scars lasting several year, blindness if the sap gets in the eyes and hospitalization.  This is definitely one weed to stay away from!  The problem is when small giant hogweed resembles Queen Anne's Lace so unsuspecting residents do realize this is a noxious weed that should carefully be destroyed. 

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Posted by Garden Gnome at 3:58 PM
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2 comments:

  1. Linda6:12 PM

    Good info to share. I'm quite certain we don't have it here but it is always good to be on the lookout for it.

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  2. Garden Gnome11:00 AM

    One of our neighbours said there were a couple of huge giant hogweeds along the trail less than a 10 minute walk from here. The municipality just recently destroyed them. This is one weed I hope not to find on our property.

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