A health warning is being issued by the Cattaraugus County Health Department and the Village of Gowanda Highway Department. Giant Hogweed has made its presence within the village limits.

     A public health hazard, hogweed’s clear, watery sap has toxins that cause photodermatitis. Skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight produces painful, burning blisters that may develop into purplish or blackened scars.

     A member of the parsley family, its most impressive characteristic is its massive size. It reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet when in flower, and has hollow stems two to four inches in diameter with dark reddish-purple spots and bristles. Coarse white hairs at the base of the leaf stalk are also purplish, and each purple spot surrounds a blister-based hair. The deeply incised compound leaves grow up to five feet in width.

     Giant hogweed flowers mid-May through July, with numerous white flowers clustered in an umbrella-shaped head that is up to 2.5 feet in diameter across its flat top. The plant produces flattened, 3/8-inch long, oval dry fruits that have a broadly rounded base, and broad marginal leaves. Hogweed prefers moist soil and can quickly dominate ravines and stream banks.

     If you see hogweed, please contact the Cattaraugus County Health Department immediately.