Since we are currently discussing flowering plants in class, I thought it might be appropriate to familiarize with your own neighborhood. The link to the article below explains how a plant can cause severe effects to humans, even 3rd degree burns and blindness. Guess what!!! You can find this plant in different parks, including Central Park. Thought that it might be appropriate to share the article with the student body at City Tech. Can you explain what is so dangerous about this plant? How it can harm humans? How would you classify it?
Share your thoughts!!!
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/green_monster_eC1GtRTKnNEAPTvUOVOo0H
The Giant Hogweed is so dangerous because it posses the organic chemical compounds furanocoumarin which is a toxic compound used as a defense mechanism against various types of predators. This toxic compound can cause sever skin and eye irritation, blistering, scars and blindness from a simple touch.
This plant can be classified under vascular plants–seed plants–flowering plants.
farheena parvin
Giant hogweed is a native of the Caucasus Mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas. It was introduced to Europe and the United Kingdom in the late nineteenth century and to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental garden plant.Seeds can be distributed by birds and waterways, and can remain viable for over 10 years.We can identify this flower by its characteristic. Such as:
1.White flowers with 50-150 flower rays clustered into an umbrella shaped flower cluster up to 2.5 feet across.
2.Between 7 and 14 feet tall (depending upon growth stage and if mowed or cut)
3.Huge leaves, incised and deeply lobed up to 5 feet across
4.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
5.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.
6.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, and poison hemlock.
Sunzia Kabir
Apparently, Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a very dangerous plant and its sap can cause severe skin burns even from brushing against the plant. It’s both invasive and it grows aggressively. If you have been exposed to this plant, it is often suggested that you wash affected area immediately, avoid direct exposure to sunlight and seek medical advice.
I don’t think the public should need to worry too much about this pplant because if everybody knew how dangerous this plant is and how common it is around NYC then there might be a mass panic.
“Green Monster”
Although it is beautiful, the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is very harmful. In full bloom the Hogweed plant can grow up to 20 feet, its flower can be 2 1/2 feet wide and its leaves average about 5 feet. It is known to cause blindness and third degree burns. It may even be seen in places such as Central park! This plant can be classified under vascular plants, seed plants and flowering plants.
I believe that this plant does pose a danger to people in our state, I assume that the majority is unaware of such plant and consquences with coming into contact with it. Knowing that it is present in an extremely crowded, especially with kids Central Park .. then yes I am concerned. According to this article “If the sap gets on your skin and it’s exposed to sunlight . . . you end up with third-degree burns, oozing and scars” that really frigthens me. The public should be constatly reminded of this plant untill completely is out of the question.