Giant Hogweed Identification

[philocalist]

I think this stuff is starting to put in an appearance very locally to me - a particular problem as it's bankside within walking distance of the house, and I've two young lads who adore being there.....

 

You'll notice I said 'I think'..... and that's the problem - I'm not at all sure and really do not want to take chances with this stuff, yet equally do not want to lose access to a large area of riverbank if the plants I'm seeing beginning to emerge are simply similar in appearance, yet safe to be around.

 

I've done the usual trolling through Google etc, but much of what I'm seeing online is very ambiguous, and there seem to be more than a few plants that appear to be quite similar in appearance until they start gettiung taller than I am...

 

Does anyone have a simple, foolproof way to identify Giant Hogweed, and set it clearly apart from other similar plants, or even an online link that does a particularly good job of it, perhaps comparing similar plants side by side to show the similarities and differences?

 

 

Thanks.

[Martin56]

Here's a Link which may help Peter.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi3nLfBh5vTAhWMLcAKHSg3C40QFgg6MAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wildfooduk.com%2Farticles%2Fgiant-hogweed-and-common-hogweed%2F&usg=AFQjCNGJJCVih-4w9quMxaDoXc2MAuR_bA&sig2=dwsx2itXgRX6iXifgRxN3w

[Ken L]

It's going to be very difficult to spot t this time of year but there's little chance of confusion when fully grown. It was on the canal near where I work but it looks like someone had the good sense to kill it.

[philocalist]

Thanks for the link Martin, though its very similar in content to those I've already seen. Part of the problem is that the images shown are usually way too small to show any usable detail - it would be very useful to find a site somewhere that laid out decent sized images of Giant Hogweed alongside similar images of the other plants that it is so similar to.

The other problem of course is that one of the key identifiers is it's immense size, which of course is little help when the Common Hpogweed will usually hit a couple of metres easily, and at least a metre more when adjacent to fresh water ... size-wise, well into the territory or Giant Hogweed. And, of course, its just as much of a problem in its smaller sizes, on the way to becoming a giant.

[Phone]

Philo,

 

It looks different during different stages of the life cycle. Are you allowed to use herbicides or are they restricted to professional applicators? The only one I have experience with on Giant Hogweed is Roundup Pro. It does a number on the existing plant. Problem is you have to make a fall application as well. All the seeds don't germinate at the same time. It may take a two year cycle to be sure . Ohh, a heavy planting of grass is helpful (at least was for me). I have only one experience so my info may be limited (?).

 

Phone

 

Roundup Pro does not kill grasses.

[lutra]

At this time of year just put your wellies on and stamp to death anything near the water that looks like a hogweed. Job done.

[chesters1]

We used to use the stalks as blow pipes as kids ,the lips got a bit tingly but nothing untowardly dangerous happened same with japanese knotweed ,great stuff to play with .

Let it live kids will learn the proper way the hard way which tends to be the best

[ayjay]

We used to use the stalks as blow pipes as kids

 

You must have a big gob Chesters, the stems can be 5" in diameter.

 

What was the ammo, tennis balls?

[Phone]

Chesters1,

 

I thought it was hollow only between joints?

 

Phone

[chesters1]

Chesters1,

 

I thought it was hollow only between joints?

 

Phone

It is just like bamboo ,you can poke a hole through with the long metal rod from a stirrup pump (look that up kids)

And rather than fainting trying to blow through the big sections you use the thin ones lol

Despite all the effort of these newspaper headline 'killer' plants (and theres many ),lead paint ,asbestos ,steam rollers ,horses and a million other now dreaded things children are banned from getting within a 100 miles most survived ,how modern kids can gain experience of anything or build up resistance in this clean dangerless society could rebound badly i am afraid ,one day looking at a freshly caught fish could be taboo incase it infects you with something.

Edited April 12, 2017 by chesters1