Hogweed
Hogweed in a hedgerow
Hogweed compound umbels
Outer and inner flowers of an umbel
Ovaries, styles and stigmas
Pink form showing stamens
Fruits with remains of styles
Ridged, hairy, hollow stem
Mature leaves
Emerging leaves
Hogweed in winter
Heracleum sphondylium
Apiaceae
Cow parsnip, keck
May to November
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Hogweed
It is widespread on most types of grassland and waste
ground, by roads, footpaths and tracks, rivers and canals,
in hedgerows and open woodland and on older sand
dunes and cliffs.
Hogweed is a hairy, native, robust perennial herb
growing up to 2m.
Flowers are usually white, but sometimes pink, in large
spreading umbels up to 25cm across.
The peripheral flowers of the umbel have unequal sized
petals and the inner flowers have equal-sized petals.
Flowers are up to 1cm across and protandrous (stamens
mature before styles).
There are 5 stamens with long white filaments and grey
anthers.
There are 2 styles with a swollen base (stylopodium).
They are pollinated by small flies and beetles attracted
by the flowers' nectar.
Fruits are dry, conspicuous and long lasting.
Mature leaves can be up to 60cm long and are simply
pinnate.
Stems are very hairy, ridged and hollow.
If you pass your hand over the flowers you get a distinct
smell of pig manure.
Previous page: Hoary Plantain
Next page: Honey Garlic
Hogweed in a hedgerow
Hogweed compound umbels
Outer and inner flowers of an umbel
Ovaries, styles and stigmas
Pink form showing stamens
Fruits with remains of styles
Ridged, hairy, hollow stem
Mature leaves
Emerging leaves
Hogweed in winter
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