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A harmful plant that can cause blindness and skin irritation sent a 17-year-old Virginia man to the hospital with third-degree burns.
Alex Childress met with Giant Hogweed while he was working on a landscaping job. He told NBC12 that he originally thought that he had had a bad sunburn while his skin was starting to come off after returning home that day. He was then taken to the hospital where he was treated for face and arm burns and the authorities determined that he would come in contact with the Hogweed plant
The Giant Beluga is ranked as a noxious weed by the US Department of Agriculture. It has already been reported in Michigan, New York and Ohio and 30 large flowering plans have recently been found in Virginia.
Plants can grow to 14 feet tall with flowers that look like Queen Anne's Lace but with more stocky leaves. It is included in the list of noxious weeds of Alabama but has not been reported in the state.
The plant, scientific name Heracleum mantegazzianum, produces a clear sap that can burn skin and cause blisters when it is exposed to the sun. The sap in a person's eyes can also damage their vision, which can result in blindness. The plant is native to Asia and was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s for use in ornamental gardens, according to the USDA.
Anyone who discovers the weed is advised not to touch it. If you come into contact with the grass, it is advisable to wash your hands immediately with cold water and get out of the sun before contacting a health professional.
Giant Hogweed sends a young Virginia to the hospital. t.co/7nAloLGcbd pic.twitter.com/R4SwpkC0S8
– CBS News (@CBSNews) July 14, 2018
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