giant hogweed	USDA PLANTS Symbol: HEMA17 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Apiales: Apiaceae
Native Range: Caucasus (BAIL);
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.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
Fact Sheet - USDA APHIS PPQ
Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fact Sheet - Ontarios Invading Species Awareness Program
Best Management Practices - Ontarios Invading Species Awareness Program

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Donna R. Ellis, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; in flower Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Stem cross-section Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); 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	Seed(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Cesar Calderon, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, 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

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org