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Giant Hogweed or Cow Parsnip?

Recent media stories on Giant Hogweed have drawn attention to this invasive plant and the fact that it can cause skin irritation, blistering and burning upon contact. This has raised local public concerns and interest in the plant.
  
According to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, the plants reported in Alberta to date have proven to be Cow Parsnip. 

Cow Parsnip is:

• a native plant, very common in Strathcona County  
• very similar to Giant Hogweed – both plants are members of the Carrot family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae)
• both can be found in similar habitats

There have been no confirmed Giant Hogweed plants identified in Strathcona County.

Physical differences

Giant Hogweed view photos

Cow Parsnip view photos

15 to 20 feet tall stem is 1 to 3 inches in diameter stem has many purple spots and stiff bristles leaf can be up to 5 feet wide umbel-shaped (rounded white flower clusters in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point) up to 2.5 feet across compound, lobed leaves (single leaves with lobes that look like a hand and fingers), which are deeply incised

5 to 8 feet tall stem is 1 to 2 inches in diameter stem has a few purple areas and deep ridges, with fuzzy hairs leaf is 2 to 2.5 feet wide umbel-shaped (rounded white flower clusters in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point) up to 1 foot across palmate-shaped, compound leaves (looks similar to a maple leaf, or an open palm with fingers outstretched), divided into 3 segments

Giant Hogweed photos

Cow Parsnip photos

Further information

Agri-News article, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development 
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/newslett.nsf/all/agnw16873

Alberta Invasive Plants Council (AIPC) 
http://www.invasiveplants.ab.ca/

Last updated: Thursday, July 29, 2010
Page ID: 6444

Department Features