BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Parks Department is warning people about an invasive plant that has been located in Western New York.
The parks department posted an alert on Facebook that says several giant hogweed plants have been located along the shores of Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park.
Hogweed is considered an invasive plant and can cause painful burns and scarring, according to parks officials.
Erie County Park Ranger Chuck Bartlett said the toxic sap from the plant is hard to rub off.
"Hogweed has a chemical that binds to your skin that is photo reactive, which means it reacts to light, so you get it on you and you get a sun exposure and can cause pretty severe burning and even after washing and periodic washing, it can stick around for quite some time," said Bartlett.
Ranger Bartlett said it is important to be able to identify the plant to avoid it.
"Purple blotches, and then we'll have bristly needles kind of right at the nodes of the plant on the stem where it's continuing to grow, so it may not have hairs up and down the entire stem, just at specific spots to keep an eye out," Bartlett said.
The county said it's working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to manage it.
If you believe you have hogweed, call the NYS DEC hogweed hotline at 845-256-3111.
You can learn more about hogweed here.
