Science Dangerous Giant Hogweed Was Intentionally Planted

https://wtvr.com/2018/06/19/hogweed-plants-virginia/

CLARKE COUNTY, Va. — The dangerous Giant Hogweed recently identified in Virginia was “planted intentionally,” according to the Virginia Tech researchers who helped identify the plant.

“It’s a dangerous plant but I’m not overly concerned about it,” Michael Flessner, an assistant professor and extension weed science specialist at Virginia Tech, said. “This seems to be an isolated incident.”

The Giant Hogweed was planted decades ago in Clarke County, Virginia, according to the researchers, and has not spread.

“Giant Hogweed is a Tier 1 Noxious Weed in Virginia and should be reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Prior to last week it had not been confirmed in the state,” a spokesperson from Virginia Tech wrote.



Sap from the invasive plant, combined with sunlight, can cause third-degree burns and permanent blindness, according to researchers.

“Property owners who think they spot Giant Hogweed should not panic,” Jordan Metzgar, curator of the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech, said
:islamic::islamic::islamic::islamic::islamic::islamic::islamic:

Spoiler

 

[Mariposa Electrique]

iant Hogweed is a Tier 1 Noxious Weed in Virginia and should be reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Finally replacing OPL's hair for the topspot.

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

Whoever planted that, I hope they are getting destroyed by Satan's spiky cock.

 

[_blank_]

This news excites me, if only for the fact that I finally get an excuse to post this:

GIANT. HOGWEED. LIIIIIIIIIIVES.

Okay, I'm done now.

 

[TheMonkeyMan]

EDIT: Oh God damn it.

 

[mindlessobserver]

Who would intentionally plant something like that? Also way too many Virginia happenings, need something new. How about Ohio?

 

[Prussian Blue]

This news excites me, if only for the fact that I finally get an excuse to post this:

GIANT. HOGWEED. LIIIIIIIIIIVES.

Okay, I'm done now.

EDIT: Oh God damn it.

The fact multiple people here rushed to make a Genesis reference amuses me more than the article itself tbh

 

[wellthathappened]

Introducing an invasive form of poison ivy to fuck with people is sort of impressive.

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

Further proof that we must destroy nature.

 

[dunbrine47]

There also is a Hoggweed that has planted itself in Florida.
(I'll see myself out).

 

[Chopinpiano]

No vampire cosplay is complete without it

 

[m0rnutz]

My backyard is full of those motherfuckers. I always thought they were just giant onions.

This shit is nothing compared to mine. Not even close.

 

[RodgerDodger]

I would never have believed that this was a thing, but my father in law was hospitalized recently after coming in contact with this stuff on his property in upstate New York. He had nasty burns on his arms and legs.

 

[Chopinpiano]

My backyard is full of those motherfuckers. I always thought they were just giant onions.

This shit is nothing compared to mine. Not even close.

Touch the sap and tell us how it feels a day afterward.

 

[Slap47]

So you touch this sap and you have to cover up or risk burning for 4 years? Thats pretty intense.

 

[RodgerDodger]

So you touch this sap and you have to cover up or risk burning for 4 years? Thats pretty intense.

It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like poison Ivy that gets 1000x worse if the skin is exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t burn for years, but it will keep burning while it’s on you, without you realizing it. Sunlight turns the plants oils into something akin to acid.

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like poison Ivy that gets 1000x worse if the skin is exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t burn for years, but it will keep burning while it’s on you, without you realizing it. Sunlight turns the plants oils into something akin to acid.

So it basically turns you into a vampire?

 

[mindlessobserver]

My backyard is full of those motherfuckers. I always thought they were just giant onions.

This shit is nothing compared to mine. Not even close.

Might want to call the county about that. All it takes is one unlucky sap to hit them with a weed whacker or lawnmower. Plus you don't want the damn things spreading.

 

[Zbk3VmLfujjzjxBd43tL]

This plant seems like a great way to deal with annoying neighbors.

 

[Dysnomia]

It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like poison Ivy that gets 1000x worse if the skin is exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t burn for years, but it will keep burning while it’s on you, without you realizing it. Sunlight turns the plants oils into something akin to acid.

I wonder what the evolutionary reason for this is? What kind of beast was eating these plants before they decided that they needed this toxic of a defense? There are certain trees that become poisonous if too many of their leaves get eaten at once. But this is just insane.

The person who planted the giant hogweed on purpose is a horrible human being.