Hogweed – and its near relatives – are endemic on and around PPA site. It’s a member of the carrot family, and quite a few of these, but notably hogweed, are capable of causing skin injuries, such as blisters and rashes. These may be picked up by handling the plant material, allowing its hairs or prickles to penetrate the skin, or by the splatter of semi-liquid material when strimming. The harmful effects are greatly increased by exposure to light. Common hogweed is not as virulent a danger as its giant sister – which may grow to the height of a lamp post – but it contains exactly the same toxins, albeit in lower concentrations.
The blisters and sores can be nasty, and leave long-lasting marks on the skin. It can be a particular danger if splatter should enter the eyes in sunny weather, so when strimming anywhere near this plant we should cover up well and wear a full face visor. PPAA Committee volunteers, and plot holders, have recently been hurt by both of these means.
Left alone the plant is harmless, and its flowers are a great source of nectar for bees. However, it is a prolific seeder, and its deep tap roots – it’s sometimes called cow parsnip* – can make it hard work to eradicate by non-herbicidal methods.
*The folk name cow parsley is usually applied to anthriscus sylvestris or wild chervil, but is also sometimes used for a range of plant genuses of this family of similar appearance e.g. wild carrot, and so on.
PPA Website Team
