State Agriculture Officials Work To Remove Toxic Hogweed In Watauga County

Dozens of toxic plants, known as hogweed, have been found in Watauga County. It's the same plant that gained national attention after a Virginia teen was severely burned because of the sap.

Officials with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture found more than 200 hogweed plants in Blowing Rock after a local woman discovered some in her neighbor's backyard.

The plant was first detected in Blowing Rock in 2010.

Hogweed can be distinguished by its large size, thick pointy leaves and umbrella shaped clusters of white flowers. The sap can be dangerous to humans and pets, making the skin more sensitive to sunlight and potentially casuing serious burns, even blindness.

“It can get really tall – up to 15 feet tall – and can take over an area,” says Chad Taylor with the state Department of Agriculture. “It can also destroy the native ecosystem by crowding out native plants that animals feed on.”

Hogweed is native to Central Asia. It has also been found in several other U.S. states.

“The seed can persist in the soil for around 10 to 15 years and under the right conditions it can germinate,” says Taylor.

Experts say if you spot hogweed, you shouldn't try to remove it.

“We are just asking folks if they see it to get into contact with us and let us know where it's at so we can eradicate it," he says. "Since it's a federally listed noxious weed, it's illegal to own it, transport it or plant it.”

Taylor says if you make contact with the plant, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water, keep it away from sunlight and seek medical attention.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news