Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum

Photo: GBNNSS

• Appearance: Large flowering plant up to 3 m in height, umbels of white flowers up to 80 cm in diameter.

• Growth: Found along rivers, on waste ground or in rough pastures, spread by seed.

• Impact: Public health risk – all parts of this plant produce phototoxic sap that cause skin sensitivity to UV light causing blistering, pigmentation and long-lasting scars. The ‘burns’ can recur for several years. Do NOT touch any part of this plant unless adequately protected.

• Pathway: Originally a garden ornamental plant that has spread or escaped into the wild.

• Legal status: Species of special concern listed under the retained EU Regulation 1143/2014 and the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement & Permitting) Order 2019.

• Unless certain exemptions apply you must not:
  • keep them (unless already growing on your land or kept in a contained holding)
  • sell them to other people
  • use them or exchange them for goods
  • grow, cultivate or permit this plant to reproduce
  • release them into the environment
  • import them into the UK
  • transport them within the UK
  • export them to other countries

• What to do if you see Giant hogweed for sale or other offences being committed: Make a report by following the guidance here.

• What to do if you see this plant in the wild: Record it with a photograph (where possible).

• Make sure you don’t spread this plant: Check Clean Dry your boots and equipment and Be Plant Wise in your garden.

• Links to more: Species information and ID sheet.