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 Forestry, all plants reported in Alberta to date have proven to be cow parsnip.
Cow parsnip is:
- a native plant, very common to Strathcona County
- very similar to giant hogweed – both plants are members of the Carrot family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae)
- found in similar habitats as giant hogweed
There have been no confirmed giant hogweed plants identified in Strathcona County.
Physical differences
Learn about the physical differences between the two plants below. The main difference is that giant's hogweed can grow significantly larger than cow parsnip.Â
Giant hogweed
- 3 to 6 metres tall
- stem is 3 to 10 centimetres in diameter
- stem has many purple spots and stiff bristles
- leaf can be up to 1 to 1.5 metres wide
- umbel-shaped (rounded white flower clusters in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point) up to 1 metre across
- compound, lobed leaves (single leaves with lobes that look like a hand and fingers), which are deeply incised
Cow parsnip
- 1Â to 2.5 metres tall
- stem is 2.5 to 5 centimetres in diameter
- stem has a few purple areas and deep ridges, with fuzzy hairs
- leaf is 1 to 2Â metres wide
- umbel-shaped (rounded white flower clusters in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point) up to 20 to 30 centimetres across
- palmate-shaped, compound leaves (looks similar to a maple leaf, or an open palm with fingers outstretched), divided into 3 segments
Other resources
- Alberta Invasive Species Council
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
- Government of Canada Invasive Species
Further information:
Planning and Development Services
Phone: 780-464-8080
Email: agricultureandenvironment@strathcona.ca
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