This, and its larger, more pointed leaves, distinguishes it from the native hogweed, which is much smaller (up to 2m).

Its hollow stem is ridged and purple-spotted, and its leaves are large and divided. The leaves are large (to 1.5 metres across), deeply divided and often jagged in form. As its name implies, giant hogweed grows tall, up to 6m high. Giant hogweed is a leading invasive plant across Europe and North America, causing numerous ecological impacts as well as severe phototoxic reactions when coming into contact with skin (© Pexels) Giant hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum ) is a monocarpic perennial herb, native to the Caucasus region. IMPACTS: 1) HEALTH AND SAFETY ALERT! Height: 150–320 cm (60–130 in.). HABITAT: Giant hogweed grows well in disturbed areas with moist soil, such as vacant lots, uncultivated or waste areas, riverbanks, along roadways, and in agricultural lands. Their large taproots store substantial below-ground resources which can give some defense against physical and chemical control practices. This, and its larger, more pointed leaves, distinguishes it from the native hogweed, which is much smaller (up to 2m). Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum. Giant hogweed prefers cool, damp habitats and is found in the following types of disturbed habitat: Along the banks of waterways, in ditches, along railways, on roadsides, in fields and in vacant lots. Giant hogweed is an immensely tall umbellifer (member of the carrot family) that displays large, white, umbrella-like clusters of flowers. Hogweed is a native plant (unlike its alien relative, Giant Hogweed) which is abundant in hedgerows, roadside verges, waste grounds and rough grasslands. Giant hogweed plants have a long branching taproot up to 24 inches (60cm) long and 6 inches(15cm) in diameter at the crown. Name also: Cartwheel-flower, Wild Parsnip, Wild Rhubarb, Giant Cow Parsnip, Giant Cow Parsley, Parsnip Tree ; Family: Carrot Family – Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Growing form: Biennial or short-lived, usually once-flowering perennial herb. As a member of the carrot family (an umbellifer), it displays large, umbrella-like clusters of creamy-white flowers between May and August (although it can flower all year-round) which are attractive to a range of insects. Stems are green with dark-red or purple blotches and are hollow; they can be up to 100mm in diameter. phytophotodermatitis). Giant hogweed sap contains toxins that causes severe dermatitis when it contacts skin in the presence of sunlight (i.e. Giant hogweed is a tall (usually 3 – 5m), perennial herbaceous plant with hollow, red-spotted hairy stems and several hundred small white flowers in large umbrella-like flower heads up to 500mm across.