Hog Weed (Common Hogweed, Hogweed)

• Common Name: Hog Weed (Common Hogweed, Hogweed)
• Latin Name: Heracleum sphondylium
• Family Name: Umbelliferae/Apiaceae

All parts of Hogweed are toxic and contain the chemical compound furocoumarin which has carcinogenic properties and also causes the skin to become hypersensitive to sunlight, resulting in painful blistering, so avoid at all costs.

Identifying characteristics of this plant are that it has an angular, hollow, furrowed stem which is covered in bristles, the oval-shaped leaves have large lobes with toothed edges and on the outer edge of the flower the petals are of unequal size.

The flower colour is mainly white but may have pink or slight green colouring.