|
Photographer: (MDAR) Mass. Dept. of Ag. Resources
|
Family Apiaceae
Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier
giant hogweed
Heracleum: named for Hercules, who was supposed to have used it first for medicine
mantegazzianum: for Paolo Mantegazzi, 19th century Italian etnographist
Hazardous 
Prohibited Invasive - Eradicate!
|
|
| Status: | Introduced - locally established; potentially invasive |
| Plant: | erect, biennial/perennial, 10'-15' tall forb; stems hollow, dark reddish-purple, hairy, each of the hairs surrounded by a purplish raised node; tuberous roots |
| Flower: | white, 5-parted; inflorescence a flat, many-branched umbel up to 20" wide; blooms May-July |
| Leaf: | deeply palmately cut, up to 5' wide, underside with coarse hairs, stalk spotted |
| Notes: | The 2003 Guinness Book of Records recognizes Giant Hogweed as the largest weed in the world. |
| (Glossary) |
|
