Hogweed

Heracleum sphondylium

Up to 4 m tall. An extremely robust and impressive perennial. Stem is stout, hollow and hairy. Leaves are up to 60 cm long; they are broad, hairy and usually pinnately divided into up to nine toothed segments. Flowers are small, off-white and with unequal petals; borne in slightly domed umbels up to 20 cm across.

What habitats does it normally live in?

Favours open grassy places such as meadows and roadside verges.

What's its life cycle or behaviour pattern?

April-November

What is its current UK distribution?

Widespread across much of Europe except the Mediterranean and the far north.

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