Hogweed was @SpeciesofUK from 5th to
11th May, 2013.
Common hogweed, Heracleum
sphondylium, is found all across Europe (except Iceland) and into Asia and
North Africa.[1]
Hogweed is commonly found in UK hedgerows, meadows and woods. Indeed, it's
familiar even to many who don't know its name.[2]
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| Hogweed, a common British plant [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Rhisiart Hincks >>> IPERNITY] |
The genus name Heracleum
refers to the Greek mythic hero Heracles, on account of the plant’s size. The
species name sphondylium means
'vertebrae' and refers to the shape of its segmented stem.[3]
So what on earth is hogweed?
Common hogweed is one of the plants sometimes known as “cow parsnip,”
although don't confuse it with cow parsley
which is something altogether different.
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| Common Hogweed, Heracleum sphondylium [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Drinker Moth] |
Hogweed is 'umbelliferous,' meaning its flowers are grouped on short
stalks spreading from a single point, a bit like umbrella ribs.[4] The flowers are off-white or occasionally
pink. The petals are notched and are unequal in size. The petals on the outer
flowers are enlarged.[5]
 |
| Hogweed Flowers, showing enlarged outer petals [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Peter aka anemoneprojectors] |
Hogweed is a biennial or a perennial. It grows to about 6ft max.[6]
Hogweed flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female
organs. They are pollinated by bees and flies.[7]
The flowers are usually seen from May to August. They are known for
their unpleasant pig-like smell (hence the name), which attracts the flies
which pollinate it.[8]
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| Hogweed and Flies [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Dave ®] |
Hogweed leaves are broad, hairy and pinnate with several large lobed
leaflets with toothed edges, on erect grooved hollow hairy stems.[9]
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| Hogweed Leaves [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Alois Staudacher] |
The flowers are succeeded by copious amounts of seeds which are
flattened to help them to be carried by the wind.[10]
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| Hogweed Seeds [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © swan-scot] |
Hogweed does best in rich in nitrogen, moist soils or deep woodland but
grows very easily even in full sun or partial shade.[11]
Hazardous substances
The umbellifer family, to which hogweed belongs, contains some of the
most dangerous plants in the UK, such as hemlock.[12]
Giant Hogweed, Heracleum
mantegazzianum, which is similar looking to hogweed but much bigger, contains
a photosensitive juice that is extremely nasty. It can burn and permanently
discolour skin when exposed to sunlight.[13]
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| Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Gertrud K.] |
Giant hogweed is not native to the UK. It was brought here in 19th
century as an ornamental and unfortunately it is now invasive and widespread.[14]
Here are some simple tips to help you tell apart common hogweed and
giant hogweed.
1. The size. As you might expect, a mature giant hogweed is a giant! It
typically grows to 7-16ft tall, whereas common hogweed gets to about 6ft max.[15]
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| Giant Hogweed is Huge [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Gertrud K.] |
2. The leaves. Giant hogweed has leaves with much more pointed segments
and with downy hair. Common hogweed has more rounded leaves with bristly hair.[16]
 |
| Giant Hogweed Leaf [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Nuuuuuuuuuuul] |
3. Common hogweed is more widespread than giant hogweed. Giant hogweed
tends to occur in large colonies as it has heavy seeds that don't travel far.
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| Giant Hogweed grows in clumps [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Geoff Coupe] |
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| The Heavy Seeds of Giant Hogweed [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © Eva the Weaver] |
Common hogweed, which is native to the UK, is nowhere near as dangerous
as giant hogweed.[17] However, you still need
to take care. Even common hogweed does contain some subspecies that are phototoxic
like giant hogweed, although to a lesser extent.[18] According to Plants for a Future, common hogweed subspecies
transylvanicum, pyrenaicum, montanum, orsinii and alpinum are phototoxic, granatense
and ternatum can sometimes be, and sphondylium (the most common one) and sibiricum are not.[19]
Hogweed for Dinner
In spite of the above warnings about phototoxicity, common hogweed is
perfectly edible. But of course you must make sure you are 100% confident about
identification and how to handle it!
The
hogweed leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked.
When harvested just as they are sprouting the stems have an asparagus-like
taste.[20]
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| Foraged Food, including Hogweed at top-right [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © the van] |
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall even cooked with hogweed shoots on the first ever episode of A Cook on the Wild Side.
A sugar substitute can be extracted from hogweed. The leaf stems are
left to dry in the sun and form a sugary substance.[21]
Hogweed peduncles can (before flowering) be eaten as a vegetable or
added to soup. Even the roots can be eaten if boiled.[22] If you’re really keen, here is a recipe for Hogweed Borscht (soup).
In addition to cooking, in the past hogweed has had medicinal uses. Its
roots are rich in carbohydrates and the plant yields essential oils with
sedative, expectorant and tonic properties.[23]
An American Cousin
In North America, there is a species related to hogweed, Heracleum maximum, which the Americans call cow parsnip. It is the
only species from the Heracleum genus
found in North America.[24]
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| Heracleum maximum, "Cow Parsnip" in North America [Source: Flickr Creative Commons © DCSL] |
Heracleum maximum is very similar to our
hogweed, and in fact and many authorities actually consider it to be a
subspecies of hogweed, Heracleum
sphondylium subsp montanum, or a variety.[25]
Whatever its classification, Heracleum
maximum has been used by many native American people, as poultices for
sores, as food, for dye, and even to make toy flutes for children.[26]
Strange but true…
Giant hogweed is so nasty that, in a 1996 Swiss study, it was found to
be that country’s second most severely poisonous plant (after deadly
nightshade).[27]
the common hogweed we have goes above 7ft 6inches - that's the height I can reach too and a lot go over!
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