How To Identify Giant Hogweed

Giant hogweed has a stout, bright green stem that is frequently spotted with dark red and hollow red-spotted leaf stalks that produce sturdy bristles. The stems grow to more than 2 m high. The hollow stems vary from 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) in diameter, occasionally up to 10 cm (3.9 in). Each dark red spot on the stem surrounds a hair, and large, coarse white hairs occur at the base of the leaf stalk. The plant has deeply incised compound leaves which grow up to 1–1.7 m (3 ft 3 in–5 ft 7 in) in width.

Giant hogweed is a biennial or monocarpic perennial, the plants dying after they have set seed. It usually flowers in its second year from late spring to midsummer, with numerous white flowers clustered in an umbrella-shaped head that is up to 80 cm (31 in) in diameter across its flat top. The plant produces 1,500 to 100,000 flattened, 1-centimetre (0.39 in)-long, oval, dry seeds that have a broadly rounded base and broad marginal ridges. Tall dead stems may mark its locations during winter.

The sap of the giant hogweed plant is phototoxic; when the contacted skin is exposed to sunlight or to ultraviolet rays, it can cause phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations). Initially, the skin colours red and starts itching. Blisters form as it burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars that can last several years. Hospitalisation may be necessary.

The presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.

Need help with your bow drill skill ? This video will answer all your question

Bow drill without any modern tool, back to stone age !

More interested in Hand drill ? Back to stone age !

You thought that friction fire and water was not going together ? Watch this

Spindle : Balsam Fir
Heart Board : Balsam Fir
Handling Block : Balsam Fir
Cordage : Paracord
Knife : OKC Ranger 5 inch

Do not hesitate to comment, like, subscribe or send suggestion, I read every single of one of them!

[TheWoodedBeardsman]

Crazy. I thought I might have seen some up North but it may have just looked similar. All the same. I stayed away. Thanks for the video!

[davidstarr]

Never heard of giant hogweed before. Thx for the information.

[CorvusNumber]

Nasty! Thanks for the video - always good for a refresher!

[nicholasnj]

Thanks for taking the time and effort to inform us of this bad plant. 100% Thumbs up ☝☺ I had no idea of this.

[MarkYoungBushcraft]

We have them in Nova Scotia as well. Any suggestions on natural and/or over the counter remedies or treatments?

[TheRunereaper]

Hi Cedrik, one of the problems with giant hogweed is that there are several different types. I'm well aware that you know much more about flora than me so I'll be careful what I say. All the family are called "Heracleum", the worst by far is "Mantegazzianum" which has the really strong flower and leaves as you have shown.

All the Heraclea can burn, even cow-parsnip - "Sphondylium". The others that I know of, "Sosnowsyi" and "Persicum", aren't quite as bad as your exhibit but they all can and do grow alongside each other. I used a machete and brush-cutter to cut mine down and my arms and face were covered in small blisters. Fortunately I wear specs but I dread to think what the results might have been if I'd got the flying sap in my eyes.

Useful post Cedrik, thanks, Paul

[glaptoper]

"Poison Ivy on Steroids"
True.

[stellap.]

Beautiful plant but deceptive! Funny, my brother just messaged me about this plant a couple of days ago! Thanks sharing.

[grandwonder]

My God! Its flowers look just like poison hemlock! They must be related!

[tinaturner]

This awesome bushcraft channel ever made and the videos he's makes are brilliant and fantastic and I am glad to support this amazing man and he's amazing bushcraft 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😄😄😄😄😄😀😀😀👼👼👼🎶🎶🎶

[marcusplayz]

Its in my garden and we can't get it out please help.

[DaChud]

Have you thought of doing videos on bone tools?

[HeirloomReviews]

almost looks like hemlock here in the states witch can kill you just by pulling it out of the ground

[ohdwight]

demon plant with its evil enticing pretty white flowers !

[justmadeit]

They are nice to look at, kinda prehistoric looking, but very dangerous if you get the sap on your skin

[sephikong]

One time when I was in the woods I saw a sign that said caution giant hogweed

[calisuds]

I think I got this in my front yard!! It’s getting taller beautiful flowers but no sap. It’s growing as big as my catus plant and I live just north of Los Angeles in the valley! The stem is not that thick but it has white flowers in clusters.

[roehle]

Fun fact: These things grow everywhere in Germany. We call them " Riesen- Bärenklau(e)" (Giant Bear Claw)

[libby]

im at a b&b and they have these in the back garden help

[mrdavidjk]

i wish i had known this years ago, i touched some of this and had to stay out of the sun/ keep covered up for 4 years