This story was originally published in July 2021. Imagine that you are poking around your flower garden, weeding or simply enjoying the beautiful blooms, when you suddenly notice a tall, beautiful plant that looks out of place among the day lilies and other midsummer blooms. That’s exactly what happened recently to a family that lives in the Saturday Cove neighborhood of Northport.
It doesn’t sound so bad, but as they looked a little closer at the huge white flowers atop the giant plant, though, they began to suspect that this was no innocent garden interloper. They were right. Turns out, the family’s flower beds had been invaded by a very unwelcome guest — the highly toxic giant hogweed.
The giant hogweed is a plant that can cause significant physical harm, including third degree burns or even blindness. “I went and looked at it, and had very serious concerns,” Northport Town Administrator Barbara Ashey said. “It was just going to flower.
It’s really pretty, but it’s extremely dangerous. You have to almost be in a hazmat suit [to be around it] because the sap on it is so dangerous.” There are many species of plants in Maine, and while most of them won’t hurt you, it is always important note those that will.
And among plants that can cause serious skin irritation, giant hogweed is perhaps the worst offender . Originally from the Caucasus region of Asia, the giant hogweed likely was first brought to Maine by estate owners who sought unusual plants from ar.