Heracleum mantegazzianum can be distinguished from the much more common heracleum sphondylium by its larger, more divided leaves, the edges of which are lined by sharp teeth rather than shallow, wavy lobes.
Common name:
Giant hogweed
Family:
Scientific name:
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Main flower color:
Range:
Scattered across most lowland areas of Wales and England; an introduced species
Height:
Up to 5 m - the tallest soft-stemmed plant in the UK
Habitat:
Damp woodland, streamsides, riverbanks
Flowers:
White, five-petalled, in broad, compound umbels up to 50 cm across, flat-topped or shallowly domed, on thick, ridged stems which are purple blotched, especially towards the base. Both bracts and bracteoles are present
Leaves:
Pinnately divided into pointed lobes, lined by jagged teeth; up to 100 cm long
Season:
June to July
Rarity:
★★★★★
