| Giant Hogweed Identification |
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Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzium)
Oregon "A" Designated Noxious Weed
Giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial of the carrot family. It is often confused with other more common weeds and native plants in the carrot family. For example, cow parsnip, poison hemlock and wild carrot. The primary characteristics that distinguish giant hogweed are plant height, stem color, stem texture and leaf size. Giant hogweed can reach a mature height of 10-15 feet. The stem is often dark purple in color, but can vary from entirely purple to mostly green with purple blotches. A key-defining characteristic is the texture of the stem, which is rough and bumpy in appearance. The stem is covered with blistery pimples with individual hairs emerging from each bump. Leaf size of the mature plant can also help distinguish this plant; leaves are up to 5 feet in length. Other notable characteristics, flowers are large white compound umbels up to 2 feet across, compound leaves are deeply divided into lobed toothed leaflets, and stems are hollow 2-4 inches in diameter.
Additional Information Links
ODA Giant Hogweed Profile
WeedMapper Profile and Maps
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