Scientific Name:
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Pronunciation:
hair-uh-KLEE-um man-tee-gaz-zee-AH-num
Common Name:
giant hogweed
Family Name:
Apiaceae
Plant Type:
Biennial, Herbaceous perennial, Invasive plant
Key ID Features:
Stems green with obvious purple blotches, stiff white hairs (especially at nodes); leaves deeply lobed, margins sharply toothed and serrate, ovate, most 0.5 to 1.5m long; umbels compound, 20-50cm wide.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
3 - 5m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Central / west Asia
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
(Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Google. Caution wear protective clothing (the sap can also cause blindness and photodermatitis that can last for up to 10 years). Compare to the native plant, cow parsnip.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Hastate
Margins:
Dentate, Incised, Palmately lobed, Pinnately lobed, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Dark brown
Additional Info:
Caution: sap can cause severe burns and blindness.
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root
