tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693616731276491615.post-14973977634312453172008-07-25T10:49:00.007-04:002008-07-25T11:11:53.427-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/images/hogweed_08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/images/hogweed_08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This time of year, the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project's Pest Hotline gets a lot of calls and emails about <a href="http://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/hogweed.html">Giant Hogweed</a>. Giant Hogweed (<span style="font-style: italic;">Heracleum mantegazzianum</span>) is a large, stout plant in the Carrot family, and due to its toxic sap, is a federally listed noxious weed. It has been present in Massachusetts for several years. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is actively managing <a href="http://www.mass.gov/agr/pestalert/giant_hogweed.htm">all hogweed populations</a> with the goal of eradication.<br /><br />If you think you've seen Giant Hogweed, we encourage you to file a <a href="http://massnrc.org/pests/hogweedreport.aspx">Pest Report</a> or call our Pest Hotline at 617-626-1779. But first, take a look at <a href="http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/ipanespecies/comparisontable.htm">this excellent resource</a> from IPANE that will help you determine if you've really got Giant Hogweed, or one of several similar-looking plants:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/ipanespecies/comparisontable.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://massnrc.org/pests/blog/uploaded_images/GHWComparisonIPANEBlog-723620.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Related resources:<ul><li><a href="http://www.mass.gov/agr/pestalert/giant_hogweed.htm">A list of confirmed sightings in Massachusetts</a></li><li><a href="http://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/hogweed.html">Our Giant Hogweed fact sheet</a><br /></li></ul><span style="font-size: 85%;">(<a href="http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/hogweed.html">Photo</a> by David Marrison, Ohio State University Extension)</span>Jennifer Forman Orthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09541113905903121231noreply@blogger.com