CAUTION: Dangerous Invasive Plants in your neighborhood

CBS LOCAL) — A noxious, alien and invasive plant that looks like Queen Anne’s lace on steroids – giant hogweed — is causing some concerns after being found in multiple states, including Michigan.

 In addition to Pennsylvania, giant hogweed can be found in New York, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Hogweed is in the carrot family and can grow 14 feet or taller. The toxic plant has thick leaves stretching five feet wide and large clusters of white flowers on the top in an umbrella pattern. Its stems are green with purple blotches and white hairs.

Giant hogweed originates from the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian seas by Russia – but it made its way to the U.S. by the early 20th century.

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                                                  wild parsnip 

Beware of the wild parsnipDon't be tempted to pick these pretty yellow flowers. Contact with the plant, which is found throughout North America, can cause a painful light-sensitve rash similar to that of the Wild Hogweed. 

Wild parsnip is most irritating while flowering.