The presence of a dangerous invasive plant that burns and can lead to blindness, is confirmed for the first time in Virginia, authorities. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed on Tuesday that giant hogweed, poisonous weed that can grow up to 15 meters and recalls the cow parsnip less dangerous, was identified in a private home in Clarke County. Initially, first heard this month, the Virginia Department of Transportation employees, reported on the species mentioned years a bundle in Frederick County grow, reports the Washington Post. Exposure to the sap of giant hogweed plant has produced, in collaboration with the sunlight and humidity cause severe skin and eye irritation, blistering, scarring and even blindness, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. However, scientists invite Virginia residents to remain calm. The hogweed in Clarke County, at least, seems deliberately by a previous owner of the house planted unlikely to spread to researchers at Virginia Tech, and it is. “It ‘a dangerous plant, but I’m not too worried. This appears to be an isolated case,” Michael Flessner, assistant professor and extension specialist Weed Science at Virginia Tech, said in a statement. While the situation in Virginia seems to be under control hogweed, native to Asia and was introduced in 1917 in the United States, United can be found in a few East Coast – is particularly common in New York – and a handful of others in the whole Country. People who think they have discovered giant hogweed, which is part of the US Department of Agriculture list weeds, local environmental authorities should inform that may remove parasites with protective clothing.
A huge plant that causes blindness was discovered in a new state
