Giant Hogweed infestation in Virginia — plant causes burns, blindness

Mark Frauenfelder 8:34 am Mon Jun 18, 2018

An invasive plant species with an appropriately unappealing name, giant hogweed, has been found growing in Virginia. If its clear sap gets on your skin, exposure to sunlight can cause 3rd degree burns, even years after contact. If the sap gets in your eyes, you could go blind.

From USA Today:

Officials in Isle of Wight County, in eastern Virginia near Norfolk and Newport News, posted a warning on Facebook about the invasive plant, which can grow to almost 15 feet.

The Virginia Department of Transportation also reported sightings of the Giant Hogweed in nearby Middlesex County and in Shenandoah County, which is part of the department's Staunton region, according to Richmond TV station WRIC.

Be careful if you encounter this invasive plant! The clear watery sap of Giant Hogweed contains toxins that can cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). It can cause burns if you get the sap on your skin and the skin is then exposed to sunlight. pic.twitter.com/zg2XB30gtN

— Invading Species (@invspecies) June 14, 2018

See also: New York man fights to keep his giant hogweed plants

Image: 70023venus2009/Flickr Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

(Thanks, Akimbo_NOT!)

Tree grows out of drainpipe

A tree discovered a way to thrive in an urban environment by squeezing through a multi-story drainpipe. via Gfycat Image: gfycat READ THE REST
Close up video shows how Venus flytraps work

Close-up photography in this BBC video shows how a Venus flytrap works. We see a fly, tempted by the Venus flytrap's nectar, alight on a trap. As the fly sucks… READ THE REST
I visited an amazing cactus nursery

I'm often asked why I like living in Los Angeles. I tell them it's because LA has a never-ending supply of hidden pockets of wonder. On Saturday I accidentally discovered… READ THE REST
Short Post, just one paragraph

Dessert cheesecake wafer bear claw fruitcake. Fruitcake chupa chups donut candy canes marzipan. Apple pie sweet roll tart chocolate cake macaroon marshmallow carrot cake gummi bears sweet. Pastry sugar plum… READ THE REST
Save 50% on a 1-year subscription to Dashlane's premium password manager

We all know vital information about ourselves and our private digital accounts can be compromised by cybercriminals. However, many would be frightened to know just how compromised they and their… READ THE REST
The Bite Helper removes the itch of a mosquito bite in seconds

While mosquitoes have certainly earned their title as the deadliest animal on earth, their impact on most of our lives is usually a lot less consequential. But even though they… READ THE REST