A national trade body is urging UK residents to stay vigilant over the summer, with regards to a dangerous weed which can cause people injury when touched.
The plant sap of Giant Hogweed is incredibly toxic, and when touched and exposed to UV light it can cause severe discomfort and blistering to the skin.
As its name implies, the overriding feature of Giant hogweed is its sheer size - with the plant able to grow up to five metres high. It has a stem that measures up to 10 centimetres in diameter, and the plant itself produces a large, white, umbrella shaped flowering head, with a single umbel capable of producing 50,000 seeds per head.
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Its leaves are sharply serrated or divided, and can reach up to three metres - and the stem of the plant is typically covered in blotchy purple markings. Sharp bristles can also often be found on the stem and under the leaves.
Daniel Docking, Technical Manager of the Property Care Association’s Invasive Weed Control Group, says it is important that people are aware of the plant, so they can avoid any problems. He said: "Each year, we have reports of people who have been injured after inadvertently coming into contact with Giant hogweed.
"Quite often it is children who are affected, while playing outdoors in the summer months. Symptoms from exposure can include a rash, itching and blisters where skin comes into contact with it.
"In some cases, the blistering can be so severe that urgent medical attention is required. It can also become a long-term condition, reoccurring over a period of years, with the rash and the itching coming back every time the skin is exposed to UV light.
"This year we are particularly concerned, as the wet Spring, coupled with warmer temperatures in mid-May, are providing the optimum conditions for the plant to thrive."
Daniel continued: "Giant Hogweed does have distinct features, which should help people to recognise it, although we urge the public not to get too close to the plant to identify it. Sometimes it can be confused with UK’s native Hogweed, Cow Parsley or even Hemlock.
"However, these are much smaller in size and their leaves have a smoother outline."
A free guide from the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group on managing Giant hogweed is available to view, here. The PCA also provides a means of identifying specialist contractors and consultants with the expertise to control and manage invasive species such as Giant hogweed, as well as other invasive, non-native plants such as Japanese knotweed.
A full list of companies in the Invasive Weed Control Group is available in the ‘Find A Specialist’ section on the PCA website and more details on invasive weeds in general are available, here.
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