Wednesday, July 6, 2016

CAUTION: THE TOXIC GIANT HOGWEED PLANT HAS INVADED LONG ISLAND, WESTERNEN NEW YORK

Despite being severley burnt and blistered, doctors say Lauren will make a complete recoveryWithin a few days of picking up the plant, Lauren's hands became covered in giant blisters and red burns 

File photo (AP Photo/Steve Miller)




Updated 57 mins ago
MANORVILLE, New York (WABC) -- A giant invasive plant with toxic sap that can burn human skin has again turned up on Long Island, according to environmental officials.

The plant is a native of the Caucasus region of Eurasia, between the Black and Caspian seats. It was brought to the United Kingdom and to the United States in 1917 as an ornamental plant, and it can grow to as high as 20 feet and sprout 3-foot leaves.

It's fast-growing, invading roadsides, the edges of forests and empty lots. It also produces thousands of seeds, which can be dispersed by flowing water or animals. The most common way it spreads, however, is by humans who are attracted by its size and decide to plant it.

Hogweed is mostly a problem in central and western New York, but it has also been found in 13 places in Long Island, in both Suffolk and Nassau counties. They include: East Norwich and Sea Cliff in Nassau and
Riverhead, East Hampton, Southampton, Brookhaven and Yaphank in Suffolk.

Giant hogweed can crowd out native species and its sap contains glucosides that react with the sun's ultraviolet rays and can severely burn the skin, cause blisters or cause temporary blindness.

It's also been found in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington.

Sometimes called giant cow parsley, giant hogweed is listed as a prohibited species. That means the plant isn't widespread and so far has been found only in isolated spots but likely will spread if not controlled.

If you are unsure and think a plant is hogweed, you can email photos to: ghogweed@dec.ny.gov. There is also a hotline you can call, at 845-256-3111.





How to survive this year's curse of giant hogweed: Leading experts reveal exactly what it is, why it's so deadly, and what to do if you come into contact with it

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
  • Scores of people have suffered dreadful burns as a result of coming into contact with giant hogweed in the last few weeks
  • If you come into contact with the plant, doctors advise washing with soap, staying out of the sunlight and going to A&E immediately
  • Mike Duddy, a leading expert on the plant, says in the last five years it has spread to pathways, motorway embankments and roadsides
  • Says anyone who spots the plant should report it to the Environment Agency through its Plant Tracker app and notify off their local authority 

Barely another day goes by without another horror story describing the dreadful burns caused by giant hogweed plants.
Dubbed 'the most dangerous plant in Britain', scores of adults and children are now being treated after unwittingly coming into contact with its toxic sap.
It can cause blindness, and at worst, the burns suffered could be fatal, experts warned.
And the so-called epidemic has become much worse in recent years as the plants have spread from their river bank habitats to roadsides, pathways and parks. 

Several children have been burned by the weed (file image above) while playing outdoors this summer 
Several children have been burned by the giant hogweed (file image above) while playing outdoors this summer. Its leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds contain toxic components
Hogweed has spread to riverside paths, motorway embankments and to the sides of A-roads in the last five years, as each flower head has 80,000 seeds, leading expert Mr Mike Duddy warns 
Hogweed has spread to riverside paths, motorway embankments and to the sides of A-roads in the last five years, as each flower head has 80,000 seeds, leading expert Mr Mike Duddy warns 
Each flower has 80,000 seeds which are easily dispersed, meaning one plant can cause hundreds more to flourish.
Meanwhile, many people are completely unaware of the danger and have no knowledge of what the plant looks like or how to avoid it or report it to the relevant agencies. 
With so many people worried about the plant’s effects, here, experts reveal what to do..
WHAT IS GIANT HOGWEED? 
Mike Duddy, one of the country’s leading experts on giant hogweed warns its spread is a major public health concern.
The first step towards preventing more injuries is to educate the public on how to identify it, he said.
‘Giant hogweed is a huge plant that grows 20ft tall that has toxic sap,’ he told 
While the plant’s flat, white constellation of flowers make it look like cow parsley, it is a lot taller, he added.
He continued: ‘Cow parsley is only small, it’ll only come to my leg or shoulder, giant hogweed is taller, it’s more distinctive when you see it.
‘The difference between hogweed and cow parsley is that giant hogweed has a purple mottled stem and a thicker stem. It’s the same shape of leaves but on a much grander scale.’
Giant hogweed was originally brought to the UK from Central Asia in 1893 and now commonly grows on riverbanks and wasteland. 

GIANT HOGWEED: THE DANGERS 

Giant hogweed sap contains toxic chemicals known as photosensitising furanocoumarins, which react with light when in contact with human skin, causing blistering within 48 hours.
Effectively the toxic sap prevents the skin from protecting itself from sunlight, which can lead to very bad sunburn and scarring.
If accidentally rubbed in the eyes, the sap can cause temporary or even permanent blindness.
Anyone who comes in contact with the weed is advised to cover up the affected area, to prevent the sap reacting with sunlight, and to wash it with soap and water. 
Its leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds contain toxic components which can be transferred by contact and make exposed skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. 
The public and the media are only now becoming aware of the plant and its danger because it has recently spread rapidly, Mr Duddy said.  
It was brought into the UK as an ornamental plant and stayed in private gardens, so it wasn’t “in the wild”, he said.
It’s only in the last 20 years that it has spread to UK riverbanks.
And in the last five years it has reached the critical mass, he warned.
‘There’s an exponential growth of the plant. Each flower head can have 80,000 seeds on it.
‘So there might be people lower down the river system spraying plant killer to eradicate it. But one plant higher up that hasn’t been noticed can seed an entire valley.’
In the last two or three years giant hogweed has grown so much it is found way beyond the river bank.
It can now be found on both sides of river paths, on motorway embankments and lining A-roads, where cyclists often brush past it.
Dogs can also brush up against the plant too, meaning anyone who strokes their pet could come into contact with the burn-inducing sap, Mr Duddy warned.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH GIANT HOGWEED?
The plant can cause excruciating injuries to people who come into contact with it.
Dr Dawn Harper, This Morning’s resident doctor, says anyone who believes they have come into contact with the plant should wash their hands and the affected area immediately.
‘It’s a toxic sap that seems to react with sunlight,’ she told presenters Amanda Holden and Philip Schofield.

Dr Dawn Harper, resident medic on ITV's This Morning, says anyone who fears they have come into contact with the plant should wash their hands immediately with soap, stay out of sunlight and go to A&E
Each hogweed flower contains 80,000 seeds, meaning one plant could cause growths to shoot up over an entire valley
Each hogweed flower contains 80,000 seeds, meaning one plant could cause growths to shoot up over an entire valley
‘If you think you’ve been exposed, wash thoroughly with soap and water,’ she told presenters Amanda Holden and Philip Schofield.
‘It’s a toxic sap that seems to react with sunlight. Stay out of the sun as that’s what activates the sap and make those awful burns.
She added: ‘Sadly, you remain sensitive so you can get burns later down the line. Even when they’ve healed, months or even years later, you can get recurrent burns.
‘It’s really toxic stuff.’
In fact, falling into a plant could even kill you, she warned.
‘It doesn’t bear thinking about. If 50 per cent burns have a 50 per cent mortality, its awful stuff.’
An over-the-counter weedkiller called Round Up can be used to kill hogweed effectively
An over-the-counter weedkiller called Round Up can be used to kill hogweed effectively
She voiced concerns over children playing with the plants and suffering grievous injuries.
‘Because it’s got these large stems, kids might use these as peashooters or telescopes and my concern is that it could lead to temporary or permanent blindness,’ she said.
‘It’s important to tell kids to give this a wide berth.’
HOW CAN IT BE CONTROLLED?
The plant can be controlled very effectively with a simple, over the counter weed killer, Mr Duffy said.
‘The chemical is called glyphosate, the brand name is Round Up, it’s a simple, over-the-counter, B&Q weed killer.
‘But people have to recognise the plants to identify it.’ 
While educating the public on identifying the plant is important, Mr Duddy said local authorities are also required to kill any plants they find growing in their area.
He said they may be successful, but the approach is quite local, and strategies covering larger geographical areas should be brought in.
Recently, the law has changed so that giant hogweed is now covered under ASBO legislation, he added.
Local authorities who find the plant growing on a person’s land can give them a fixed penalty fine of £100.
If this order is ignored, individuals can be fined up to £5,000 and organisations can be fined £20,000.
‘If this is growing in your garden it’s your responsibility to get rid of it', Mr Duddy warned.
Those who see the plant growing in a public place should report it to the Environment Agency, through their website called Plant Tracker.
It’s also important to report it to the local authority, he said.
Lauren Fuller, 10, was left with excruciating third degree burns after picking up a giant hogweed while she was fishing with her father. She is pictured with her mother Charlotte appearing on ITV's This Morning
Lauren Fuller, 10, was left with excruciating third degree burns after picking up a giant hogweed while she was fishing with her father. She is pictured with her mother Charlotte appearing on ITV's This Morning
Within a few days of picking up the plant, Lauren's hands became covered in giant blisters and red burns
Within a few days of picking up the plant, Lauren's hands became covered in giant blisters and red burns
‘Phone the environmental health departments and say you want to report a giant hogweed plant. Say you want to do this through using your right to use a community trigger.’
This is a piece of legislation which is designed to encourage local authorities to resolve anti-social behaviour problems.
VICTIMS CALL FOR GREATER AWARENESS
The experts’ warnings over the plants come after 10-year-old Lauren Fuller was left with excruciating third degree burns after picking up a giant hogweed while she was fishing with her father.
During a family holiday to Loch Lomond, Lauren, from Thornbury, Bristol, picked up the plant, and days later her hands became covered in giant blisters and red burns.
Despite being severley burnt and blistered, doctors say Lauren will make a complete recovery
Despite being severley burnt and blistered, doctors say Lauren will make a complete recovery
When her terrified parents took her to A&E, doctors had no clue what was wrong with her, initially suspecting sun burn.
Speaking on This Morning, Lauren’s mother Charlotte called for public notices to warn families about the dangers of hogweed.
‘There should be [public notices], with pictures. A lot of people have hear of it but never seen it.
Doctors have said Lauren will make a full recovery, but her wounds will take a long time to heal, she said.
And she must now apply suncream to her hands and face constantly, even if it is overcast.
Lauren’s story follows a plethora of other stories concerning other children suffering horrendous burns as a result of touching giant hogweed.
Annie Challinor, seven, was left with a permanent scar after her arm blistered when it touched the plant on a family walk in Clifton Country Park, Salford, Greater Manchester and four teenage boys suffered agonising blistering after coming into contact with giant hogweed in Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton.
And four teenage boys suffered agonising blistering after coming into contact with giant hogweed in Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton.
Three of the children needed hospital treatment and may have to take painkillers for months.


Giant Hogweed Identification

Characteristics of the Giant Hogweed Plant:

  1. White flowers with 50-150 flower rays clustered into an umbrella shaped flower cluster up to 2.5 feet across giant hogweed umbrella shaped flower clusterGiant hogweed umbrella shaped flower cluster
  2. Between 7 and 14 feet tall (depending upon growth stage and if mowed or cut) Giant hogweed plants standing approximately 10 feet tallGiant hogweed plant standing approximately 14 feet tallMowed giant hogweed flower head - standing about 3 feet tall
  3. Huge leaves, incised and deeply lobed up to 5 feet across giant hogweed leaf - approximately 5 feet wide
  4. Stems are green with extensive purple splotches and prominent coarse white hairs. Stems are also hollow, ridged, 2-4 inches in diameter, and have a thick circle of hairs at base of leaf stalk giant hogweed stem having course hairs and purple blotchesGiant hogweed stem with course white hairs and purple blotches
  5. Seeds are dry, flattened, and oval. Approximately 3/8 inch long and tan with brown lines (oil tubes) extending 3/4 of the seed length that widen at ends Giant hogweed seeds - approximately 3/8 inch long with brown lines (oil tubes) extending 3/4 of the seed length
  6. Many plants are often misidentified as giant hogweed - the most common plant being cow parsnip. Please thoroughly look through the charts below to see the major differences between giant hogweed and cow parsnip, angelica, wild parsnip, and poison hemlock.
Giant Hogweed vs Cow Parsnip

Giant Hogweed Cow Parsnip
Leaf giant hogweed leaf is up to 5 feet wide.
Compound, lobed, deeply incised, up to 5 feet wide
cow parsnip leaf, compound, less incised than hogweed, between 2 to 2.5 feet wide
Compound, less incised than hogweed, between 2 to 2.5 feet wide
Flower giant hogweed, white umbrella-shaped flower clusters up to 2.5 feet wide
White umbrella-shaped flower clusters up to 2.5 feet wide
Cow parsnip white flat-topped flower clusters no larger than 1 foot wide
White flat-topped flower clusters no larger than 1 foot wide
Stem Giant hogweed stem - green with purple splotches and coars white hairs, 2-4 inches in diameterGiant hogweed stem - green with purple splotches and coarse white hairs, 2-4 inches in diameter
Green with purple splotches and coarse white hairs -
thick circle of hairs at base of leaf stalk, 2-4 inches in diameter
cow parsnip stem - green and ridged with fine white hairs, 1-2 inches in diameter
Green and ridged with fine white hairs, 1-2 inches in diameter
Flower Rays Giant hogweed flower rays with 50 or more rays per umbel
50 or more rays per flower cluster
Cow parsnip rays with 15 to 30 rays per flower cluster
15 to 30 rays per flower cluster
Seed Cow parsnip and giant hogweed seeds - cow parsnip seeds are heart shaped and giant hogweed seeds are oval shaped
Oval-shaped with oil tubes that extend 3/4 the length of the seed and widen at ends Heart-shaped with oil tubes that extend 1/2 the length of the seed
Flowering late June to mid July late May to late June
Common Giant Hogweed Lookalikes
Plant Name Height Stem Leaf Flower Flowering
Wild Parsnip wild parsnip plants can reach up to 5 feet tall
Up to 5 feet
wild parsnip yellow-ish green stem with full length grooves (no hairs or bristles)
Yellowish-green with full length grooves (no hairs or bristles)
wild parsnip leaf - compound, pinnate, 5 to 15 toothed leaflets, variably lobed, yellowish-green
Compound, pinnate, 5 to 15 toothed leaflets, variably lobed, yellowish-green
wild parsnip flower head with flat-topped umbel of flower clusters
Single flower stalk with flat-topped umbel of yellow flower clusters
late May - early July
Angelica Angelica stalk - 4 to 9 feet tall
4 to 9 feet
angelica stem - smooth, waxy purple, 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter
Smooth, waxy purple, 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter (no hairs or bristles)
angelica leaves - compound leaves that may extend up to 2 feet wide
Compound leaves that may extend up to 2 feet wide
angelica softball-sized and shaped clusters, greenish-white or white
Softball-sized and shaped clusters, greenish-white or white
mid May - mid June
Poison Hemlock Poison hemlock stalk - 4 to 9 feet tall
4 to 9 feet
Poison hemlock stem - smooth and waxy stem with purple blotches, 1 to 2 inches in diameter
Smooth and waxy stem with purple blotches, 1 to 2 inches in diameter (no hairs or bristles)
Poison hemlock leaf - bright green, small and fern-like, may appear glossy
Bright green, small and fern-like, may appear glossy
Poison hemlock flowers - small and white arranged in numerous flat-topped clusters on all branches
Small and white arranged in numerous flat-topped clusters on all branches
late May - late June