Is this giant hogweed? - Ask Extension
Can you identify the weed in the accompanying pictures for me? Two have popped up in my flower garden this summer. Each is about 5-6 ft tall. The stem...
Knowledgebase
Is this giant hogweed? #418228
Asked July 31, 2017, 4:13 PM EDT
Can you identify the weed in the accompanying pictures for me? Two have popped up in my flower garden this summer. Each is about 5-6 ft tall. The stem is mainly green near the top but becomes more solid purple as you move down toward the ground. I am concerned that it may be giant hogweed. Thanks for any help!
Barry County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for contacting Ask An Expert.
That is a stunning plant isn't it? It however is not Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum. I believe you have one of the Wild Lettuces probably Lactuca biennis. This plant is found in Barry County as are a couple other Lactuca species. Here is a link for you on this plant. The flowers help distinguish between the species. http://michiganflora.net/images.aspx?id=384
Giant Hogweed receives a lot of press but it's pretty rare in Michigan and has only been confirmed in three counties. Since you asked about it and it is such a cool plant I'm attaching a few links on Giant Hogweed for you. A word of caution, do not touch a plant you suspect is Giant Hogweed!
http://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=124
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sysmrqw4sEo
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html
That is a stunning plant isn't it? It however is not Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum. I believe you have one of the Wild Lettuces probably Lactuca biennis. This plant is found in Barry County as are a couple other Lactuca species. Here is a link for you on this plant. The flowers help distinguish between the species. http://michiganflora.net/images.aspx?id=384
Giant Hogweed receives a lot of press but it's pretty rare in Michigan and has only been confirmed in three counties. Since you asked about it and it is such a cool plant I'm attaching a few links on Giant Hogweed for you. A word of caution, do not touch a plant you suspect is Giant Hogweed!
http://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=124
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sysmrqw4sEo
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html
