These plants have been around for a long time but recently have been discovered beside the sidewalks, in parks and the gardens of Canada. The Giant Hogweed is a highly toxic plant and Ontario Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Affairs and the University Of Guelph are trying to find the best way to manage this poisonous plant. Nova Scotia has created hotlines to report the locations of the Giant Hogweed. Can the Giant Hogweed be that bad? Yes it can. The Giant Hogweed has a special sap on it and if it comes in contact with humans or animals it can cause terrible swelling, blisters and scarring and it can irritate the skin for months. Did you know the Giant Hogweed can reach 15 to 20 feet? That's tall! It is a flat flower with white, lacy petals on top. It is originally from Asia and Eastern Europe so how did it come to Canada? Some people think it was the migrating birds that brought the seeds in or cargo ships. No one is really sure.
So take caution while walking along roadsides and riverbanks because you might just see a Giant Hogweed. They look exactly as they do in the picture and have purple blotches on their stem. 
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