Beaver Island Michigan

Heracleum mantegazzianum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum, commonly known as giant hogweed cartwheel ... giant cow parsnip "hogsbane" or giant cow parsley is a plant in the family Apiaceae.

This plant is off roads on many parts of the island, especially the north point. It is very dangerous to even touch.
I hope this gets around before many get in contact with it!! Poison Ive is just a sissy compared with it.
Both varietys have been spotted/[/url]

Maybe the Ladyslipper Bandit could pull it for us.

Cruel and unusual punishment, Pirate. leave it to you to come up with that! lol

Thanks for the "heads up!" It is very thick this year on Island woods N. My daughter spotted a single plant last year but this year it is abundant! link to more info --> http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html

We have very large healthy Cow Parsnip plants on this archipelago that mimic the appearance of Giant Hogweed but do not have the dangerous side effects. I have followed up on several reports of Giant Hogweed, but have always found this to be the case. At this time, to the best of our knowledge, we do NOT have Giant Hogweed on Beaver Island or the outer islands.
We do have a much smaller invasive plant - Wild Parsnip - that has similar burning, blistering side effects. The Beaver Island Association's pamphlet on our top 10 invasive plants (available for free at the Community Center) gives a good description of it. On Beaver Island, it has been noted off McCauley Road, and at the south end of the King's Highway.
In every case, if you are unsure of a plant's safety or identity, it is best to steer clear, and seek expert advice.
Hurray for watchful, vigilant and concerned citizens! It is exactly these characteristics that will help to keep our island safe!

The cow parsnip is not suppoed to reach over 5 feet in height; but there are 13 foot plus plants on the north end of the island. Be sure you know which you are dealing with. The cow parsnip also contains toxins.


this is one of the links.

Common name: Cow parsnip or hogweed
Botanical name: Heracleum spondylium
Family: It belongs to the Apiaceae family (or Umbelliferae), which has over 2500 species in 275 genera. These include common herbs such as giant hogweed, anise, carrot, celery, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley, and parsnip, as well as the highly toxic hemlocks.
Origin: Native to the British Isles.
Description: The Apiaceae family are characterised by alternate leaves, which widen at the base into a sheath that clasps the stem. The stems are often furrowed with the flowers usually compound, almost always concentrated in flat-topped umbels. The flowers have 5 petals, usually uneven, and 5 stamens. Seeds and fruit form below where the petals and stamen originate Some parts of the plant usually have a strong aroma, due primarily to various oils produced by the plant.
Cow parsnip Cow parsnip
Uses: Cow parsnip, often grows in moist meadows, and along the borders of fields, and near ditches. Traditionally the young leaf stalks and stems were eaten like stewed celery. The leaves may be dried, burned and the ashes used as a salt substitute. Native Americans of the northern US ate the peeled stalks raw or cooked. The blossoms were steeped in oil and rubbed on the body to keep off flies and mosquitoes.
Allergens: Furocoumarins (psoralens) including bergapten, isobergapten, sphondin, isopimpinellin and pimpinellin.
Allergy: Unfortunately, the umbilliferae contain furano-coumarins which, when exposed to sunlight, cause significant photo-toxic reactions (photosensitivity). One of the more common skin reactions to Cow parsnip/hogweed, is the â??weed eatersâ?? or â??strimmersâ?? dermatitis. When string trimmers are used to clear long grass, components of weeds are usually mulched and scattered in all directions, often coating the legs and arms of the operator. The sap of the plants then gets on the skin, and, when exposed to sunlight, gives rise to a very characteristic rash (see photo) which may persist for many months.
String trimmers dermatitis

Contractors doing our invasive plant treatment are here right now, and would love to follow up on this. I'd be happy to put you in touch with them. I trust your judgement, Dick, and would feel more comfortable if they could make a positive I.D. of the plants.

Let the contractors know that if the 13 plus foot cow parsnip doesn't get them the 33 foot tall cows will. I'm thinking the aliens from High Island have something to do with this anomaly.

July 26, 2015, BINN Editor Joe Moore interviewed Ed Leuck, a botanist, about the differences between these two plants. The cow parsnip is a native plant, and the giant hogweed is an invasive. You can watch the interview at the site of the Port of St. James plants in question.

http://beaverislandnews.com/2015%20July ... rview.html

Full story is on Beaver Island News on the 'Net with pictures and a comparison chart.

Joe