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Giant horror plant that causes 3rd degree burns spreads further (day of the triffids)

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https://www.sciencealert.com/invasive-to...rke-county

EXCERPT: If Hollywood wanted to make a movie about a horrifying plant invasion, giant hogweeds would make a great candidate for the lead role - they are absolutely massive, incredibly toxic, and readily spread wherever their seeds take root. Listed as a noxious weed in at least eight states, last week the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) was spotted in Virginia for the first time. According to reports from the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech university, about 30 of these towering plants have been found in Clarke County, and locals are warned to keep an eye out for sightings.

Native to the Caucasus region, the statuesque plant looks like a huge mutant version of the benign common hogweed - but it can cause severe skin burns if you so much as brush against the bristles on its stalks. Those bristles, along with the rest of the plant, emit a nasty sap that chemically irritates the skin causing phototoxicity - severe damage to the skin through exposure to sunlight and UV rays. As a result, one can get huge, oozing blisters that can leave behind scars and photosensitivity for many years.

But unless you're familiar with its nasty secret, you might think the giant hogweed looks cool - these large plants can grow more than 4 metres (14 feet) tall, spreading their huge leaves and producing massive umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers....

MORE: https://www.sciencealert.com/invasive-to...rke-county
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