unwashed hogweed , also eff as Heracleum sphondylium , is not poisonous . It is a herbaceous industrial plant that is usually found in various regions around the world . It belong to the Apiaceae family and is often confused with its tumid and more dangerous relative , elephantine cow parsnip ( Heracleum mantegazzianum ) .
It is important to clarify that the modest Heracleum sphondylium , or common hogweed , does not possess the same level of perniciousness as jumbo hogweed . jumbo hogweed contains high levels of furanocoumarins in its sap , which can cause severe phototoxic burn when bring out to sunlight . This can pass to painful bleb , burns , and long - lasting cutis damage . However , common cow parsnip does not have such high level of furanocoumarins , and therefore does not stick the same level of risk .
Unfortunately , there is often disarray and misinformation surrounding the two plants . Many people mistakenly refer to vulgar hogweed as venomous , when in fact it is not . This disarray is often perpetuate by inaccurate selective information find on the net . It is important to be cautious when conducting a Google search , as the resolution may include erroneous information .
As a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I have come across this confusion numerous clip . I sympathize the importance of accurate data when it comes to institute toxicity , as it can greatly touch the decisions made in horticulture and landscaping pattern .
To further clarify , I would care to provide a clear eminence between coarse cow parsnip and giant hogweed :
1 . sizing : Common hogweed is comparatively small in comparability to giant hogweed . It typically produce to a summit of 3 - 6 feet , whereas giant cow parsnip can reach heights of 8 - 14 feet .
2 . Leaves : The parting of common cow parsnip are deeply lobed and have a serrated sharpness . They are commonly green in vividness and have a jumpy texture . In contrast , giant hogweed has heavy , deep incised farewell that can acquire up to 5 feet in diameter .
3 . Flowers : Common hogweed grow modest clusters of white or pinkish flowers that are coiffure in umbels . These flowers are often assure from June to August . Giant cow parsnip , on the other handwriting , produces great , blank flower clusters that can arrive at up to 2.5 fundament in diameter .
4 . Sap : Perhaps the most crucial difference between the two plants is the sap . vulgar cow parsnip does not secrete sap that contains high grade of furanocoumarins . In contrast , jumbo hogweed sap is highly toxic and can make life-threatening skin reactions when exposed to sunshine .
It is significant to secernate between common hogweed and gargantuan hogweed . While giant hogweed is highly toxic and can cause severe skin burns , common Heracleum sphondylium is not poisonous and does not bewilder the same layer of hazard . It is essential to be cognizant of the conflict between the two plants to deflect any confusion or potential harm .
Caroline Bates
