Plant That Causes 3rd Degree Burns, Blindness Grows In Oregon

As you’ve probably heard by now, giant hogweed, an invasive species of plant that can leave you with third-degree burns or blind, was recently discovered in Virginia. But what you might not know is that researchers previously found the plant in Oregon, too.

Luckily for you — and your nightmares — researchers at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia run an online mapping system to record when and where invasive species are found. The real-time tracker, dubbed the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System, provides state, county, point and GIS data for invasive species, including giant hogweed.

According to the tracker, the plant has been found in 11 Oregon counties, most of which are in the Willamette Valley.

• Clackamas County
  • Date observed: June 5, 2006
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Clatsop County
  • Date observed: June 25, 2007
  • Reporter: Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District
• Columbia County
  • Date observed: July 7, 2007
  • Reporter: Columbia County Weed Control District
• Lane County
  • Date observed: March 5, 2010
  • Reporter: Biota of North America Program
• Linn County
  • Date observed: June 24, 2002
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Marion County
  • Date observed: March 5, 2010
  • Reporter: Biota of North America Program
• Multnomah County
  • Date observed: April 12, 2002
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Polk County
  • Date observed: June 7, 2005
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Tillamook County
  • Date observed: Aug. 3, 2004
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Washington County
  • Date observed: June 27, 2006
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Yamhill County
  • Date observed: Aug. 7, 2003
  • Reporter: Oregon Department of Agriculture

Other states that have seen the plant include: Washington, Alaska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Washington, D.C.

New York health officials minced no words on its website when it came to the giant hogweed: “Do Not Touch This Plant!”

The plant, listed federally as a noxious weed, is characterized by its white, umbrella-shaped-flower clusters and closely resembles cow parsnip. The plant can grow much taller though — up to 14 feet.

“Its sap, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and blindness,” the New York health department said.

Most recently, about 30 of the plants were found by Virginia Tech researchers in Clarke County, Virginia.

While the scientists asked residents to watch for the plant, they emphasized that in that particular case, the weeds were likely planted intentionally decades ago and hadn’t spread.

“It’s a dangerous plant but I’m not overly concerned about it. This seems to be an isolated incident,” said researcher Michael Flessner, an assistant professor and extension weed science specialist.

The researchers strongly advised against mowing or weed-whacking the plant without wearing proper covering and safety gear.

Patch reporters Dan Hampton and Deb Belt contributed to this report.

Photo credit: jps / shutterstock