Giant hogweed is a VERY LARGE, invasive plant that can cause painful burns and permanent scarring. A native of Eurasia, it was brought to North America as a garden plant in the early 1900s. It escaped cultivation and spread quickly, especially along roads and streams. Giant hogweed starts growing earlier and faster than native plants, outcompeting them for resources. It isn’t a good soil stabilizer, so erosion is an issue in areas with infestations.