Latest news with #Heracleummantegazzianum
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Urgent warning issued over fears 'invasive plant' can cause severe burns and blindness
The plant was previously labeled UK's most dangerous plant. As temperatures continue to warm-up across Britain, more and more people are spending the majority of their time outdoors. However, according to experts, we should all be avoiding contact with this "dangerous" plant. Invasive weed specialists are now warning that even the slightest contact with giant hogweed can cause severe burns that reappear for years and can even lead to blindness. This highly invasive plant, with its toxic sap that causes photosensitivity, poses a severe risk to unsuspecting humans and pets. Jennifer Holmes from Environment Controls said: 'This dramatic looking plant, found along many a river path, or woodland walk, must be treated with extreme caution. As mentioned above its toxic sap contains furocoumarin, which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight and is a danger to humans and pets. "Its distinctive flower heads emerge in June - and can be easily mistaken for other plants such as Cow parsley (non-toxic), Hemlock or Hemlock water dropwort (both highly toxic). 'If you touch Giant hogweed you may not notice anything immediately as the effects may take up to 24 hours to emerge, but soon large blisters will form on skin and will recur when exposed to sunlight. "As well as its harmful properties, as it colonises river banks this can make it difficult to eradicate - do not try to remove it yourself, always consult an expert.' Side effects of touching Giant hogweed Recurring Blisters Unlike typical burns, areas affected by Giant hogweed can re-blister each time they are exposed to sunlight, even years after the initial contact. Eye Damage & Blindness Direct contact with the sap in the eyes can cause severe irritation, temporary vision loss, and in extreme cases, permanent blindness. This poses a significant risk to curious children and pets. Delayed Reaction Symptoms may not appear for up to two days, giving unsuspecting individuals more time in the sun, exacerbating the damage. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a non-native invasive species listed on The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. It is an offence to plant or allow it to spread into the wild, as it aggressively takes over habitats. Landowners have a responsibility to prevent its spread, with potential legal consequences, including encroachment fines, if it affects neighbouring properties by allowing it to spread onto their land. How to spot Giant hogweed? Height A very tall biennial or perennial herbaceous plant, capable of growing over 10 feet. Flowers Large, white, umbrella-shaped flower heads (up to 50cm wide) that resemble an oversized Cow parsley. Stem Thick, hollow, ridged stems that are green with distinctive purple blotches and stiff, white hairs. Leaves Large, deeply lobed, and sharply toothed leaves, often reaching over a metre in width. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Jennifer added: "If you or your pet come into contact with Giant hogweed sap, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and cold water. "Crucially, keep the affected skin out of direct sunlight for at least 48 hours. Seek immediate medical attention if blisters develop, and particularly if sap gets into the eyes. "Due to the persistent nature of its seeds and the highly toxic sap, professional removal is essential. "Environment Controls offers expert identification, safe removal, and disposal services, typically using specialist excavation methods to ensure the plant is completely eradicated and doesn't pose a recurring threat."
The Hill
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Have this giant, noxious weed in your yard? How to get rid of it — without burning yourself
(NEXSTAR) — The definition of a weed is relatively vague — a plant growing where you don't want it, experts explain — but some earn an extra adjective to describe them: noxious. That term has a federal definition, thanks to the Plant Protection Act: 'any plant or plant product that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the United States, the public health, or the environment.' One such massive, noxious weed may be growing in your yard, waiting to burn you if you try to remove it too quickly. Heracleum mantegazzianum, better known as giant hogweed, has been present in the U.S. for more than a century, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Invasive Species Information Center. Native to parts of Asia, researchers believe hogweed may have been brought to the U.S. as an ornamental garden option 'because of its extremely large size and impressive flower.' It's also possible its seeds, common in Middle Eastern cuisine, were among spice imports. Nonetheless, the giant hogweed has found its way around the country. The plant has been positively identified in several states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The perennial plant lives up to its name, reaching heights of 20 feet with massive umbrella-like flowers that bloom between May and July. The flowers, which grow in clusters, can reach diameters of 2.5 feet, according to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. Hogweed stems and stalks, reaching up to 4 inches in diameter, have purplish-red blotches and stiff hairs. The leaves have toothed edges and can grow to 5 feet wide. You can see photos of the stem, leaf and flower of a giant hogweed plant in the slideshow below. Hogweed is often found in moist areas, like along streams and rivers, where there is also shade. The massive plant is capable of causing soil erosion in these areas, which can give way for the seeds to be dispersed downstream to other areas, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources explains. It's not unlike cow parsnip, a plant native to the U.S. Cow parsnip can often appear tall, as seen in the photo below, with heads of white flowers and wide leaves. There are some notable differences between cow parsnip and giant hogweed, however. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation points to its size, for starters: Cow parsnip can reach roughly 6 feet in height, with flowers that are about a foot in diameter and leaves reaching 2 feet wide. That's all about half of the size that hogweed can reach. Officials also say cow parsnip's stems do not have the purple blotches found on hogweed. Despite their differences, both plants are capable of irritating your skin. Sap from cow parsnip leaves and stems can give you a 'blistery rash' if you have sensitive skin, officials in Maine explain. Giant hogweed sap, found on all parts of the plant, can lead to severe burns in as little as a day, Nexstar's WIVB reports. If you have sap on your skin and are in the sun, you can develop phytophotodermatitis, a skin condition brought on by chemicals found in certain plants and fruits, like citrus. 'The sap interferes with the skin's natural ability to protect itself from sunlight, resulting in severe burning and blistering,' according to an article from the University of Maryland Extension. 'If sap goes into the eyes, it can cause temporary or permanent blindness.' Phytophotodermatitis can appear like sunburn on your skin, the Mayo Clinic explains, and develop itchy patches like eczema. The condition can last for several months, with treatment limited to 'self-care measures, such as soothing the affected skin with a cool, wet cloth.' If you come in contact with giant hogweed sap, Supervising Park Ranger Chuck Bartlett of Erie County, New York, recommends washing your skin with soap and water 'as soon as absolutely possible' while avoiding sunlight. Managing hogweed in your yard or on your property can vary based on the size of the plant. As seedlings or young plants, Washington state officials say giant hogweed can be dug up or hand-pulled, as long as you're wearing protective gear to avoid contact with the sap. You can also cut back larger plants before digging them up, bagging the plant and its flowers for disposal. You may also require a herbicide treatment, which could require assistance from an expert, Minnesota officials explain. If you live in a state that has not yet confirmed the presence of hogweed and believe you have spotted the noxious weed, you may want to document the sighting and report it to agriculture or wildlife officials before removing it.
