Health officials warn of 'Giant Hogweed' plants

CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. (WXMI) -- Somewhere in Calhoun County, a rare, yet highly noxious weed has been located.

The Calhoun County Health Department is confirming that "Giant Hogweed" has been identified in the county. The exact location is not being released, to keep people from searching for it and potentially being exposed to it.

According to the health department, direct, bare-skin contact with the sap-covered leaves, roots, flowers, seeds or hairs on the stem of the plant can cause painful blisters and long-lasting scars.

The hogweed that was found was removed by Robert Coward of the WBCK Garden Show and the area where it was found will be monitored for the next several years to see if any new plants sprout up.

Take a look at these pictures to see the plant:

"Giant Hogweed" can be identified by the dark red or purple spots and bristles on the green stem, the white flower heads that produce thousands of seeds, and the green leaves located at the base that grow to 5 feet in diameter.

%shareLinks-quote="The plant, which can grow to 18 feet in height, flowers from late spring to mid-summer and is biennial (appears every other year)." type="spreadWord"%

If you think you've discovered "Giant Hogweed" in your yard, call your local health department.

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