Warning over toxic sap danger from giant hogweed
THE dangers of touching giant hogweed are being highlighted as people make the most of good weather and the summer holidays.
People are being urged to take care around the invasive weed, with children and adults reporting injuries, including giant blisters, after coming into contact with it due to its toxic sap.
With many children off school for the summer break, the Property Care Association (PCA) is urging people to remain vigilant around the plant.
Dr Peter Fitzsimons, technical manager of the PCA’S Invasive Weed Control Group, said: “Giant hogweed’s sap is extremely toxic to the skin in sunlight, making it a danger to public health.
“Youngsters are more likely to come into contact with the plant during the summertime and the mix of warm weather and rain has provided good conditions for the weed to take hold this year.
“Giant hogweed is also spreading across a wider area, meaning that people are more likely to encounter it,” he added.
“If anyone comes into contact with any part of the plant, followed by exposure to sunlight, they can sustain severe blistering to the skin and discomfort, and this reaction can recur for many years.”
Giant hogweed was brought in to the UK as an ornamental plant. It is native of South-eastern Europe and is a member of the carrot family. Generally it grows near watercourses and in damp meadows, though it can be found on waste ground.
Each plant can produce up to 50,000 seeds which can survive for up to 15 years. Giant hogweed is capable of growing to a height of up to five metres.
Dr Fitzsimons added: “The general public, as well as local authorities, statutory agencies and landowners on whose property people can come into contact with the plant, should be aware of the risks and giant hogweed needs to be controlled and managed professionally.
The PCA also provides a means of identifying specialist contractors and consultants with the expertise
People can sustain severe blistering to the skin and discomfort, and this reaction can recur for many years.
to control and manage invasive species such as giant hogweed, as well as other plants such as Japanese knotweed.”
Now considered a growing commercial problem because of the challenges it causes in the urban environment, Japanese knotweed has become increasingly well known in recent years.
The plant, native to eastern Asia, was introduced in the early 19th century to adorn the gardens of Victorian England. There are specific things to avoid with it:
Don’t dump garden waste contaminated with Japanese knotweed in the countryside – you will be breaking the law;
Don’t add it to compost – compost it separately, preferably on plastic sheeting to prevent rooting;
Don’t take it to recycling centres that receive garden waste as it will contaminate the compost.
For more details on invasive weeds in general, visit propertycare.org/homeowners/invasiveweed-control.
Dr Peter Fitzsimons