Giant Hogweed

                                                               Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) was introduced to Britain in 1893 as an ornamental plant.  It escaped from gardens and now colonises many areas of wasteland and riverbanks.  It forms dense colonies that suppress the growth of native plants and grasses, leaving the banks bare of vegetation in winter and increasing the risk of erosion and recolonisation from seeds washed downstream.

Legislation: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides the primary controls on the release of non-native species into the wild in Great Britain.  It is an offence under section 14(2) of the Act to ‘plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild’ any plant listed in Schedule 9, Part II.  This includes Giant hogweed.

HEALTH HAZARD

The stems, edges and undersides of the leaves bear small hairs containing poisonous sap, and the slightest touch causes painful blistering and severe skin irritation. Un-shaded habitats with high soil nitrate levels tend to produce greater quantities of toxins in the plant.  Contact with cut material in sunlight produces a skin reaction in almost all cases.  Blistering symptoms occur 24- 48 hours after exposure, and dense pigmentation is visible after 3 – 5 days.  This may persist for 6 years or more.  Protective clothing must be worn.

Treatment

Phytophotodermatitis usually takes ten minutes to set in after exposure to a photosensitizing plant. If the exposed person gets indoors within ten minutes, damage to the skin may be prevented because artificial light does not cause blistering. The photosensitivity can persist for 6–8 hours. Scratching of the affected area should be avoided, and Aloe Vera may be applied to soothe the area.^{[citation needed]} If symptoms persist for more than 2 days, a doctor should be consulted and prescription cream should be asked for.

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