City of Richmond
Giant Hogweed Control Management Underway in Richmond
21 July 2010Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant that has received much media and public attention in recent weeks due to its presence in Metro Vancouver and its health impacts to people. Contact with the photosensitive toxins in the plant’s sap from the stem, hairs and leaves can badly burn and blister skin, while contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent vision problems.
Giant Hogweed is a relatively new plant to Richmond – a few sightings have recently been made on City property. There can be some confusion in how to identify Giant Hogweed – it grows to be very large, up to six metres tall, with serrated leaves as large as 1.5 metres across, as well as dark reddish-purple blotches on its stalks. It produces white clusters of umbrella-like flowers. Giant Hogweed thrives near streams, creeks, ditches, roads and in vacant lots.
Hogweed can easily be confused with other native plants such as Cow Parsnip or Queen Anne’s Lace, which also have umbrella-like flowers, but are smaller and do not pose similar health risks.
If residents suspect they see Giant Hogweed on City property, they are urged to call the City’s Invasive Plant Hotline at 604-276-4316. When calling, please give the specific location of the plant. If possible take a picture of the plant and email it to invasiveplants@richmond.ca. City staff will visit the location, and if it is positively identified as Hogweed, the area will be fenced off and marked as a hazardous plant management site. City crews will work on safely removing the hogweed as soon as possible and plan for the long-term management of the site.
If residents suspect Giant Hogweed on private property, they can call the Invasive Plant Council of BC at 1-800-WEEDSBC. Residents should not remove the plant themselves, rather hire a professional who will take the appropriate precautions needed when exposed to hogweed.
Anyone who has direct contact with hogweed sap should wash the affected area immediately with mild soap and cool water, keep exposed skin out of sunlight for at least 48 hours, and seek immediate medical attention if blistering occurs. The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre 24 hour Hotline can also be called for more advice at 604-682-5050 in the Lower Mainland Area or toll free at 1-800-567-8911. A Work Safe BC information bulletin on Giant Hogweed is also available at
Work Safe BC - Giant Hogweed Info.Giant Hogweed has been positively identified on in the greenspace between Flight Path Park and the Sea Island Fire Hall in Burkeville. The City is currently investigating other potential Giant Hogweed sightings. City crews have undertaken hazardous plant management measures at the Sea Island location and ask the public to be alert for Giant Hogweed signage. City crews will continue to monitor and manage this area as well as any other sites that are reported.
For a detailed description and tips for identifying Giant Hogweed, visit the Greater Vancouver Invasive Plants Council website at www.gvipc.ca.
Members of the public and media can call the following organizations for more information on Giant Hogweed and other invasive plants:
Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Council
Jennifer Grenz - Coordinator
Phone: 604-880-8358
Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia
Gail Wallin – Executive Director
Phone: 250-305-9161
City of Richmond
Lesley Douglas – Manager, Environmental Sustainability
Phone: 604-247-4672
