Giant Hogweed

• Invasive in British Columbia
• Found in damp areas, often along roads and in ditches 
• Grows up to 5 metres in height 
• Very toxic

Cow Parsnip

• Native in British Columbia
• Grows up to 1.5 to 2.5 metres in height
• Toxic sap may cause skin irritations on sensitive skin

Leaves

Leaves

• Colour: dark green
• Leaves toothed, with deep cuts separating leaves into three segments or lobes
• Lobes can be uneven
• Stiff hairs on undersides of leaves only
• Leaves can be up to 5 ft wide

• Colour: green
• Leaves covered in soft hairs
• Leaves may appear to look like velvet
• Leaves can be up to 2.5 ft wide

Photo by: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Photo by: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

Stems

Stems

• Single stem per plant
• Stems are hollow
• Ridges on stem
• Green in colour, with reddish or purple spots
• Stiff, white hairs on stem
• Stem diameter: 2 to 4 inches 

• Deep ridges on stem
• Green or slightly purple in colour
• Fine, soft and fuzzy hairs on stem
• Stem diameter: 1 to 2 inches

Photo by: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

Photo by: USFWS Midwest

Flowers

Flowers

• Flower in late June and July
• White flowers
• Flower clusters are umbrella shaped 
• Flower clusters can be up to 2.5 ft in diameter

• Flower in early June
• White flowers
• Flower clusters can be up to 1 ft in diameter

Photo by: Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Photo By: Alex Katovich, Bugwood.org