Giant Hogweed Identification
If you suspect you may have found giant hogweed you should take photos, note the location, and report the site to NYS DEC via email, or by calling the Giant Hogweed Information Line: 1-845-256-3111.
Giant hogweed is often confused for cow parsnip, and other similar looking plants - compare some common lookalikes that get mistaken for giant hogweed below.
Characteristics of the Adult Giant Hogweed Plant
White flowers with 50-150 flower rays clustered into an umbrella shaped flower cluster up to 2.5 feet across
Between 7 and 14 feet tall (depending upon growth stage)
Huge leaves, incised and deeply lobed up to 5 feet across
Stems are green with extensive purple splotches and prominent coarse white hairs. Stems are also hollow, ridged, 2-4 inches in diameter, and have a thick circle of hairs at base of leaf stalk
Seeds are dry, flattened, and oval. Approximately 3/8 inch long and tan with brown lines (oil tubes) extending 3/4 of the seed length that widen at ends
Many plants are often misidentified as giant hogweed - the most common plant being cow parsnip. Please thoroughly look through the charts below to see the major differences between giant hogweed and cow parsnip, angelica, wild parsnip, Queen Anne's lace, and poison hemlock.
| Plant | Flower | Leaf | Stem |
|---|---|---|---|
Giant Hogweed 7-14 feet tall This plant can cause burns. Do not touch. |
 White umbrella-shaped flower clusters up to 2.5 feet wide. 50+ rays per cluster. Flowers late June - mid July |
 Compound, lobed, deeply incised, up to 5 feet wide |
 Green with purple splotches and coarse white hairs - thick circle of hairs at base of leaf stalk, 2-4 inches in diameter. |
Cow Parsnip 5 to 8 feet tall This plant may cause burns. |
 White flat-topped flower clusters no longer than one foot wide. 15-30 rays per cluster. Flowers late May - Late June |
 Compound, less incised than hogweed, between 2 - 2.5 feet wide |
 Green and rigid with fine white hairs 1-2 inches in diameter. |
Angelica 4 to 9 feet tall This plant may cause burns. |
 Softball-sized and shaped clusters, greenish-white or white Flowers mid May - mid June |
 Compound leaves that may extend up to 2 feet wide |
 Smooth, waxy purple, 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter (no hairs or bristles) |
Wild Parsnip Up to 5 feet tall Native of Eurasia This plant can cause burns. Do not touch. |
 Single flower stalk with flat-topped umbel of yellow flower clusters Flowers late May - early July |
 Compound, pinnate, 5 to 15 toothed leaflets, variably lobed, yellowish-green |
 Yellowish-green with full length grooves (no hairs or bristles) |
Queen Anne's Lace 1 to 3 feet tall Native of Eurasia |
 Flat-topped umbel of white flower clusters, 2 to 4 inches wide. The central flower cluster usually deep purple. When fruiting, the umbel becomes concave and resembles a "bird's nest." |
 Compound, pinnate, fern-like. |
 Green, covered with bristly hairs. |
Poison Hemlock 4 to 9 feet tall Native of Eurasia All parts of this plant are very poisonous. DO NOT INGEST |
 Small and white arranged in numerous flat-topped clusters on all branches Flowers late May - late June |
 Bright green, small and fern-like, may appear glossy |
 Smooth and waxy stem with purple blotches, 1 to 2 inches in diameter (no hairs or bristles) |
Common Elderberry Shrubs 5 to 12 feet tall Spreads and forms thickets |
 White flat-topped or slightly rounded flower clusters at branch ends, 2 to 6 inches wide. Fruit is purple to black in color. Flowers June - July |
 Compound, pinnate, 5 to 11 toothed leaflets |
 Older woody stems or young green stems with prominent lenticels (pores), no hairs or bristles |
Pokeweed Up to 10 feet tall All parts of the plant are poisonous. DO NOT INGEST |
 Greenish-white racemes (linear flower clusters), with dark purple berries. Flowers late June - October |
 Alternate, large, entire leaves (not leaflets) |
 Green to red or purplish, smooth stout stems, no hairs or bristles |