Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

The Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) campaign has been promoted by the National Invasive Species Working Group, of which the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba (ISCM) is a member. Giant Hogweed is a very aggressive plant from Eastern Europe that appears larger-than-life and of concern to human health due to production of a toxic sap. Easy to identify due to growth up to 15 feet tall, this plant is the current poster child for a national invasive species awareness approach. Media coverage has been extensive, including a recent profile story on the CBC National News. This approach is working and has caught Public attention across the country. Giant hogweed has been reported in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia as a result of this campaign.

In Manitoba and across the prairies, there are local native species 'Cow Parsnip' (Heracleum lanatum, white flowers) and 'Wild Parsnip' (Pastinaca sativa, yellow flowers) which are often confused with Giant Hogweed, but are much shorter in height (1-7 feet tall). ISCM wishes to advise the Public that all recent reports of Giant Hogweed in Manitoba have been checked and confirmed to be the native Cow Parsnip. Doug Cattani (ISCM Executive Board) of Manitoba Agriculture and Food Rural Initiatives has been involved in this work as well.  (Note: Cow and Wild Parsnip are in the same family as the exotic invader Giant Hogweed, and also produces a toxic sap.  Care should be taken to cover skin and hands when working in-and-around these plants).

Cheryl Heming, ISCM Coordinator confirms that "at the moment we do not believe Giant Hogweed is here [in Manitoba]".  See a Giant hogweed fact sheet and Giant Hogweed Poster for more information.

Contact: To report an invasive species sighting in Manitoba visit www.invasivespeciesmanitoba.com, phone (204) 232-6021, or email info@invasivespeciesmanitoba.com.

Top: Illustrating height of Giant hogweed.  Bottom: Workers in protective gear. Photo credit: Fraser Valley Regional District.