Giant Hogweed: What it is and where it can be found in Hampshire

But when out and about in the countryside, it is important to be aware of a nasty plant that could turn a nice day out into a painful ordeal. 

Often referred to as "the most dangerous plant in Britain", the giant hogweed can make the skin very sensitive to sunlight and cause horrific burns and blisters as a result.

Just this week, a school had to send a warning to parents after a four-year-old pupil from Greater Manchester suffered second degree burns after touching the toxic plant.

Below is all you need to know about the giant hogweed and where it has been found in Hampshire.

What is the giant hogweed?

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the giant hogweed is invasive and potentially harmful.

Chemicals in the sap cause blistering and long-lasting scars.

The toxic, non-native plant can reach heights of more than 12ft if not removed.

It should not be confused with native hogweed, which will be familiar to gardeners and those who like to go on walks in the UK.

Native hogweed can grow to around six foot when in flower but is nevertheless a much smaller plant.

What does it look like?

The giant hogweed is a tall, cow parsley-like plant with thick bristly stems that are often purple-blotched.

The flowers are white and held in umbels facing upwards.

The plant usually takes two years to fully grow with the formation of a rosette of lobed leaves in the first year before sending up a flower spike in the second year and then setting a seed.

What if I accidentally touch giant hogweed?

If you do accidentally touch this plant, you should wash the area as soon as possible and get out of the sunlight.

You should also contact a medical professional such as your GP or 111.

How do I get rid of it?

When controlling the weed you should always wear gloves, cover your arms and legs and ideally wear a face mask when working on or near it.

Cut plant debris, contaminated clothing and tools are potentially hazardous too. Wash any skin that comes in contact with the plant immediately.

Choose a weedkiller that is appropriate by reading the label carefully before buying or using it.

Systemic weedkillers based on glyphosate are usually the best choice as these also kill roots.

If it's not native to the UK, where did it come from?

Giant hogweeds were first introduced into Britain and Europe from the Caucasus Mountains in the 19th century.

Their origins in the UK can be traced back to the list of seeds supplied to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew by the Russian Gorenki Botanic Gardens in 1817.

They were then introduced into the horticultural trade due to their impressive aesthetics; they were widely planted in ornamental gardens throughout Britain.

Unfortunately, they quickly escaped from cultivation into the wild, with the first recorded case in Cambridgeshire in 1828.

Where has it been found in Hampshire?

According to the map, produced by What Shed, the plant has been spotted near Lymington by Avon Water, as well as in Fordingbridge by the River Avon.

The map also shows the plant has also been spotted in Ringwood and by the River Mean between West Meon and Warnford.

The interactive map is based on data provided by members of the public, which records passed to the Biological Records Centre’s iRecord System.

To view the map, click here.

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