This story started as a Facebook post supposedly from the officials in Isle of Wight County in Eastern Virginia. The county is located near Newport News and Norfolk, so it is a well populated and people needed verification that it was not a hoax. To see a Facebook post about a large plant that can cause blindness sounded a little far-fetched at first. Then the Virginia Department of Transportation also began to report sightings of what is now known to be the Giant Hogweed plant in both Shenandoah and Middlesex counties.
The Facebook posting was not a hoax. The Giant Hogweed plant is a native of Asia and can grow to approximately fifteen feet. There are several issues here that are upsetting to state and local officials. First, this is an invasive type of plant, so it spreads quickly and is seen as a detriment to local plants. What was initially unsettling was how the plant got to Virginia in the first place. Now, the larger concern is that is has been confirmed growing in Isle of Wight and Middlesex counties which are in southern Virginia, close to the shoreline, but also Clark and Shenandoah counties that are at the northern tip of the state.
The toxins in the Hogweed are potentially hazardous. For example, If you get sap on your skin and then it is then exposed to sunlight, it can result in severe burns, sometimes as severe as three-degree burns that can require skin grafting. If you get the toxic sap on your hands and then inadvertently rub your eyes, once you go into the sunshine, your eyes can be permanently damaged with light sensitivity or possibly even blindness in the worst cases. So take a good look at what the plant looks like, remember it, and remember to stay as far away as possible.
For more information please visit Department of Environmental Conservation
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The county is located near Newport News and Norfolk.. Middlesex counties which are in southern Virginia very good plants....thanks for sharing this artical everybody need article like this instead.........i hope possble very well skin So take a good look at what the plant looks like
I did not know the dangers of this plant ... nature is really still a mystery
wow! It's very strange thing! I have never heard before of a plant like this! interesting article
This was new to me.Good to warn people about this danger to their health from a plant they would not expect it from.
Very informative article. Going to spread this to make friends and family aware! Thanks!
Never knew about such stuffs. Thanks for sharing and spreading knowledge.
intersting article
I didn't know about this plant. Really interesting and useful because I want to visit Virginia!
Thank you for this article. I didn't know about this plant.
now I know I'll have to be careful of these plants if I go to one of these places