Warning: Man Stung by Dangerous Giant Hogweed in West London
Key Highlights :
Daniel Logan was stung on the ankle by the toxic plant Giant Hogweed in Boston Manor Park, west London. The Giant Hogweed, also known by its Latin name Heracleum Mantegazzianum, is Britain’s most dangerous plant and can cause blisters and ulcers, as well as blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.
Logan had gone into some bushes to find a football when he came into contact with the plant. As a result, he has been left with "potentially lifelong scars", according to the BBC. He told the BBC: “Now I know, it will never happen again. But I'm lucky, I'm 21 years old and it's only my ankle. If a little kid falls in there, gets it on their face or something, that's going to cause them life-changing injuries so I'm lucky but someone else may not be.”
Giant Hogweed originated in Southern Russia and Georgia and was introduced to Britain and Europe in the 19th century, from the Caucasus Mountains. The plant is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes well-known vegetables and herbs like parsley, carrot, parsnip and coriander. It can reach over 10ft in height and, according to The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), “most gardeners will want to eradicate it, as it is potentially invasive and the sap can cause severe skin burns”.
The sap of the plant contains a chemical called furocoumarin which makes the skin sensitive to the sun, leading to painful blistering. Blistering can recur over the span of months, and even years. Giant Hogweed can cause harm to both humans and dogs.
If you accidentally come into contact with the sap of Giant Hogweed, you should wash the area with mild soap and cool water as quickly as possible and keep the skin covered when you’re outside to protect it from the sunlight. If a rash or blister begins to form, you should seek medical attention. Severe burns could require surgery to graft new skin over the damaged skin.
It is important to be aware of the appearance of Giant Hogweed so that you can better identify the dangerous plant. The stems are green with purple blotches and stiff, white hairs, and the leaves are huge, and can measure up to 1.5m wide and 3m long, and are often divided into smaller leaflets. The flowers of the Giant Hogweed appear in June and July, and are small and white and appear in clusters on “umbrella-like heads” that face upwards.
Giant Hogweed is a dangerous plant and it is important to be aware of its appearance and the potential harm it can cause if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. If you come into contact with the sap of Giant Hogweed, it is important to wash the area with mild soap and cool water as quickly as possible and seek medical attention if a rash or blister begins to form.
