Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a member of the Parsley family (Wild Carrot, Fool’s Watercress, Cow Parsley, Hogweed, Wild Angelica, Alexanders, Sweet Cicely, Hemlock) and is native to Asia.
WARNINGGiant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild.
It is recommended that this plant is controlled or eradicated, and you have a duty of care to prevent its spread from your property. You must handle and dispose of the plant in accordance with strict guidelines and legislation. Contact us, we can help.
Giant Hogweed Control, Treatment & Survey Specialists
Japanese Knotweed Ltd are experienced contractors in the surveying and remediation of invasive non-native plant species. We will survey a site and establish the best method and price for control or eradication in accordance with the client’s requirements. Works are expertly undertaken by trained and certified operational staff, with all works fully recorded. By contacting us you benefit from:
- FREE* Survey
- Correct identification of Giant Hogweed
- A detailed investigation by an experienced surveyor
- A professional Management Plan document to include; survey findings, remedial recommendations and costs
- Nationwide service – quick response
- Expert advice and knowledge
- Member of the PCA Invasive Weed Control Group
If you suspect you have an invasive non-native species but are unsure, please send photos of the plant to firstname.lastname@example.org for free identification.
Giant Hogweed Identification
These images will help identify Giant Hogweed at different stages of it's growth cycle.
About - Giant Hogweed
Fattened, oval fruits are produced with a broadly rounded base and each plant supports thousands of individual flowers. Giant Hogweed reproduces through seeds produced in late summer and/or perennial buds that form on the root stalks of the crown. It can produce up to 50,000 seeds per plant (approximately 1,500 per flower head), which can be catapulted distances of up to 4 metres. Seeds can remain inactive in the ground for several years. Key features include:
- Hollow green/purple stems with fine spines that make them appear furry
- Dark green coarsely toothed leaves
- Small white flowers are arranged in flat-top umbrella-like clusters
- Growth up to 3-5 metres tall with individual umbels measuring up to half a metre across and leaves up to 2 metres across
The plants’ dense canopy can out-compete native species and cause stream bank erosion in riparian areas when the large shading plant dies back late in the year leaving riverbanks exposed to the elements. The plant can be both a biennial or a perennial, normally flowering around May in the second, third or fourth year after germination.
Dangers - Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed growing across or along the route of a public right of way is likely to attract the involvement of the Environment Agency due to the threat it presents to public health.
Hairs on the outside of the stems and poisonous sap on the inside of the stems and leaves can cause severe irritation. The sap reacts with the skin and makes the skin sensitive to ultra-violet light, though no pain or irritation is felt at the time of contact. Any subsequent exposure to sunlight can cause the skin to burn and will result in large, watery blisters that do not become evident until 15 to 20 hours following contact, by which time the damage has been done.
Blisters may develop into purplish or blackened scars and could persist as recurrent photo-dermatitis long after exposure. Contact with the eyes can lead to temporary (or, in some cases, permanent) blindness. Children can be most at risk, as Giant hogweed is highly attractive to them.
Giant hogweed is also a host for both carrot fly and the disease Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, both of which attack many horticultural and arable crops.
Giant Hogweed UK
Due to the longevity and quantity of the seeds, full eradication can take a number of years to achieve. To be effective all control measures should be undertaken each year before the plant produces seeds (early spring to early summer).
Eradication of Giant hogweed through herbicide treatment alone can take a minimum of three years and could take up to ten, due to the proliferation of seeds that form a dormant ‘seed bank’ over successive years. Any chemical application to plants found growing near watercourses will require the granting of written consent from the Environment Agency prior to treatment. Japanese Knotweed Ltd always liaises closely with Environment Agency officials in such circumstances.
Great care should be taken whilst conducting any Giant hogweed works to ensure the plant does not come into contact with the skin or eyes. A face-shield, gloves and suitable protective clothing should be worn during any Giant hogweed operations, and it is advisable to have at least two operatives conducting works in case one of them slips and falls into the plant’s foliage. If possible, avoid working in direct sunlight when dealing with Giant hogweed.
The plant may be hand dug, but care must be taken to remove as much root material as possible, as a plant can grow from a section of root carrying auxiliary buds. Alternatively, the hogweed can be mechanically excavated, if allowance is made for the extensive seed bank. Following excavation new seedling growth should be controlled by use of herbicide. Cutting of the plant is not an efficient long-term solution and is not recommended on any plant exceeding 1.5 metres in height due to the risk of direct contact.
NB: If no Giant Hogweed is found on the property or within 7m of the property (including neighbouring properties) a charge of £140 plus VAT will apply.
*If the area to be surveyed is greater than 1 acre we reserve the right to apply a charge to carry out the survey. For the Isle of Man or Isle of Wight charges may apply, price on request.