Giant hogweed or something else - Ask Extension
Hi, and thanks for being available. I’ve attached 3 photos of a very large plant. What you see represents one season’s growth and it is approac...
Knowledgebase
Giant hogweed or something else #470642
Asked July 15, 2018, 5:21 PM EDT
Hi, and thanks for being available. I’ve attached 3 photos of a very large plant. What you see represents one season’s growth and it is approaching 8 feet tall and at least that across. The leaf pictured is not the largest, but fairly representative of the size at about chest height. It seems smaller than what I’ve read about giant hogweed. Is there anything else I can send to help with the identification?
Regards,
Scott
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
The weed pictured here is common pokeweed (Phytolacca americana).
Common pokeweed is a large, branched perennial plant that reproduces by seed and may regenerate from a large, underground taproot. Leaves are alternate, large, and smooth with slightly wavy margins. The leaf undersides may be tinted purple or red. Stems are erect, reddish, and also smooth. Flowers are white followed by purple to black berries in later summer or fall. Birds love to eat these ripe berries and thus spread common pokeweed seed around.