giant hogweed

Heracleum mantegazzianum

what does it look like?

Giant Hogweed is a perennial plant which can grow up to 5m tall with leaves up to 1m across. It can take 4 years for the plant to flower, after which it dies. Each plant can produce more than 50,000 seeds per year which can remain viable for 15 years. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water and in the soil carried by footware and vehicles.

why is it a problem?

The stems and edges and underside of the leaves bear small hairs which are coated with poisonous sap and even the slightest touch can cause painful blistering and severe irritation.