Most of us have at least heard of hogweed. It is on the Pennsylvania Noxious Weed list and it is illegal to grow it here. Hogweed was first introduced as a garden ornamental from Europe. This plant colonizes stream and river edges, and establishes itself readily. The rich, moist soil of cultivated gardens suits the plant perfectly.
Hogweed was discovered growing along side the south guard rail on Woods Road this summer. The Noxious Weed Hotline was notified and a representative came out and verified that the suspected plants were hogweed. Everyone should use caution when walking through fields and wooded lots in the area.
Giant hogweed is a public health hazard. The toxic sap, clear and watery, contains a substance that causes painful blisters. The blisters emerge when skin coated with the sap is exposed to sun. The combination of sap and sun produces painful burning blisters that may develop into purplish, blackened scars.
It is illegal to move the plant within or between states, or to sell the seeds. Do not collect the seed head to dry them. Keep children away from this plant and use extreme caution when handling it.
For more information, click here to download the full color brochure. You may also stop by the borough office during office hours to pick one up. If you see a plant that you suspect is hogweed, use the brochure to rule out look-alikes. If you are sure that it is hogweed, please call the noxious weed hotline at 1-800-292-3939 to report it.