By Mike Owen, Department of Agronomy
Upon further investigation about the location of “local” infestations of the highly invasive giant hogweed, it was determined that the Wisconsin location is in Iron County which is located at the northern boundary between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (see colored area on the map). Gogebic County, Michigan also has or had infestations of giant hogweed. The U.S. Forest Service is working diligently to eradicate these populations.
The good news is that identified locations of giant hogweed are not that close to Iowa.The bad news is that giant hogweed is aggressive and adapted to Iowa habitats. Thus it is still important to be aware of the possibility of giant hogweed invading Iowa and contact the ISU Extension or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources if you suspect that you have this nasty plant.
A recent news release from the Weed Science Society of America warns of a particularly dangerous invasive weed, giant hogweed.
The weed is related to species that are commonly found in Iowa, however giant hogweed is highly invasive and is capable of causing considerable damage to anyone who comes in contact with the plant. While giant hogweed has yet to be discovered in Iowa, populations have been found in Wisconsin.
Thus it is possible that giant hogweed populations may exist in northeast Iowa. There are a number of links that can be used to find more detailed information about this weed. Also, pictures of four common weedy relatives of giant hogweed found in Iowa are included for comparison purposes.
Giant Hogweed
Wild Parsnip
Water Hemlock
Queen Anne's Lace
Cow Parsnip
Mike Owen is a professor of agronomy with research and extension responsibilities in weed management and herbicide use.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on May 12, 2008. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.