Spotted group of hogweed - Ask Extension
Hello, while out walking, I found a stand of what I believe to be hogweed between a stream and a road, Google Maps location https://www.google.com/map...
Knowledgebase
Spotted group of hogweed #655363
Asked June 24, 2020, 8:47 AM EDT
Hello, while out walking, I found a stand of what I believe to be hogweed between a stream and a road, Google Maps location https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1244816,-76.6800988,20z. Approximately 10 feet from road. If it's hogweed, it's highly toxic. Does this need to be reported, and if so, to whom?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
We cannot see foliage of the plant in question clearly, as it is one of the main identifying features of Giant Hogweed. Several native and non-native perennials and shrubs look very similar to Hogweed, in leaf or in flower (or both), so a better view is needed. Here is one page showing flower, leaf, and stem comparisons to Giant Hogweed: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html
What is not included on that page is a very common native shrub in our area - Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). You can view photos of its flowers and foliage here: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1507.
Here are more photos of Cow Parsnip, a closely related and native species with which it is often confused: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2350.
If this plant is Giant Hogweed, you can report your sighting to the Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Division. There is a number provided at the bottom of this page: https://extension.umd.edu/learn/giant-hogweed
More info: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/giant-hogweed
Miri
What is not included on that page is a very common native shrub in our area - Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). You can view photos of its flowers and foliage here: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1507.
Here are more photos of Cow Parsnip, a closely related and native species with which it is often confused: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2350.
If this plant is Giant Hogweed, you can report your sighting to the Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Division. There is a number provided at the bottom of this page: https://extension.umd.edu/learn/giant-hogweed
More info: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/giant-hogweed
Miri
