Giant Hogweed is it’s name and this stuff is nasty! The sap of giant hogweed causes phytophotodermatitis in humans, resulting in blisters and scars.
Reports of the giant growth being spotted have flooded in, and several people have witnessed this demon plants wrath. Heracleum mantegazzianum, commonly known as giant hogweed.
Giant Hogweed is part of the Apiaceae family, also known as wild parsnip, This plant can grow anywhere from 6 feet tall, up to 18 feet.
The roots, stems, flowers, seeds, and leaves of the plant contain furocoumarin. Furocoumarin causes phytophotodermatitis in humans which is a chemical reaction causing the skin to be hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. Considered to be a highly invasive species, giant hogweed has been spotted mostly in the northeastern portions of the US. Some have even reported spotting the plant in Michigan.
