It may not be completely accurate to call the giant hogweed the “sunburn plant” but this highly invasive and dangerous member of the carrot and parsley family can cause third-degree burns due to its phototoxic sap.
Its official name is Heracleum mantegazzianum but is commonly called giant hogweed because it typically grows to heights between 6 and 18 feet. For such a toxic plant, it is surprisingly pretty with white flowers in the shape of an umbrella atop stems of green and purple, not unlike gigantic versions of Queen Anne’s lace. Originally brought over from Asia as an ornamental plant, the giant hogweed quickly spread to parts of the US, Canada and the UK. It can be found most often around waterways and edges of forests where its buoyant seeds take advantage of streams and rivers. It seems to have taken a particularly strong hold throughout Britain, in southeastern Canada, and in the northeast and northwest of the United States.
It is the sap of the giant hogweed that poses the threat to people. Contact with the sap and subsequent exposure to UV light, results in a hazardously sensitivity to sunlight, that can cause extreme irritation, scarring and third-degree burns. Even small amounts that come in contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. Burns from the giant hogweed are slow to heal and leave a lasting legacy: skin can become phytophotosensitive, developing burns or dermatitis upon re-exposure to sunlight. This hyper-sensitivity can last upwards of 10 years after initial contact.
As reactions can begin within 15 minutes of contact, it’s imperative to wash the skin with soap and water and get out of the sun, avoiding sunlight for 48 hours. If burns begin to develop, see a physician immediately for treatment. Encounters with the giant hogweed should be reported to local authorities in order for the plant to be safely removed.
