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Giant Hogweed Vs Common Hogweed

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Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) are two members of the carrot family (Apiaceae) that share some similarities in appearance. However, they differ significantly in size, ecological impact, and potential health hazards. They are very easy to tell apart, but many novices mistake Common Hogweed for Giant Hogweed and are unnecessarily wary of it.

Common Hogweed is a very tasty wild vegetable which is one of the best plants to learn to forage, given its abundance and excellent nutritional profile.

This article provides an in-depth comparison of these two species to help readers identify and understand their unique characteristics.

Size and Stature

Giant Hogweed:

Grows up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall when in bloom.
Very thick, hollow stems can reach up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter.
Huge leaves can span up to 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) wide in width.

Common Hogweed:

Generally grows between 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) tall.
Stems are much thinner and solid compared to Giant Hogweed.
Leaves are significantly smaller, usually around 50 centimeters (20 inches) in width.

Leaves

Giant Hogweed:

Deeply lobed and compound leaves, divided into 3-5 leaflets.
Serrated, jagged edges on leaflets.
Bright green leaves with coarse white hairs on the surface.

Common Hogweed:

Compound leaves, divided into 3 leaflets.
Edges of leaflets are serrated, but less jagged compared to Giant Hogweed.
Leaves are a slightly darker shade of green and have softer hairs on the surface.

Stems

Giant Hogweed:

Hollow stems with reddish-purple blotches.
Stiff, coarse white hairs cover the stem.

Common Hogweed:

More solid stems with a more subtle reddish-purple hue, often less pronounced or absent.
Softer hairs on the stem compared to Giant Hogweed.

Flowers

Giant Hogweed:

Large, umbrella-shaped clusters (umbels) measuring up to 80 centimeters (31 inches) in diameter.
Numerous small, white, five-petaled flowers in a flat-topped pattern.
Blooms from late spring to mid-summer.

Common Hogweed:

Smaller umbels, typically measuring 5-15 centimeters (2-6 inches) in diameter.
Small, white, five-petaled flowers with a slightly more rounded pattern.
Blooms from late spring to early autumn.

Toxicity and Health Hazards

Giant Hogweed:

Produces phototoxic compounds called furocoumarins, which are present in its sap.
Exposure to sap and sunlight can cause severe skin reactions, such as phytophotodermatitis, resulting in painful blisters, swelling, and long-lasting skin discoloration.
Sap can cause temporary or permanent blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.

Common Hogweed:

Does not produce the same phototoxic compounds as Giant Hogweed.
Can cause minor skin irritation in some individuals, but reactions are typically much milder and less severe than those caused by Giant Hogweed.

Ecological Impact

Giant Hogweed:

Considered an invasive species in many regions, including the UK.
Rapid growth and prolific seed production allow it to outcompete native species for resources.
Displaces native plant species and disrupts local ecosystems.

Common Hogweed

Native to Europe and Asia, including the UK.
Coexists with other native plant species without displacing them.
Is a very productive nectar source for pollinators. Rated in the top ten nectar producers per unit area.

Conclusion

While Giant Hogweed and Common Hogweed share some similarities in appearance, they are easy to tell apart once you've got your eye in.

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Learning to effortlessly recognise the native species of your surrounding environment is one of the most rewarding things you will do in your lifetime. Being able to name the plants and other living things you see around you is the first step to becoming knowledgeable about and feeling an intimate connection with nature.

Unlike guidebooks or other methods of study, our flashcard sets are designed to guarantee that you acquire and retain the ability to recognise and name the species that you see around you in the most efficient way possible.

There is no other way to learn to recognise the native species so effectively or in so little time.

I've never been able to remember the names of plants and flowers despite owning many guidebooks. With the UK Wildflower course, learning and actually remembering them was incredibly easy!

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Nature Enthusiast

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Natural England

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London

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Cork

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Dara Javan,

owner

Hi, I'm Dara. I created wildflowercourses.com because I believe that everyone should be able to recognise the plants that grow around them, and that learning to do so should be easy. I also believe that experiencing the power of spaced repetition learning techniques can renew anyone's faith in their ability to learn.

I grew up in Purbeck, in Dorset, close to the most biodiverse square mile in the UK. Both my mum and stepdad worked for Natural England until their retirement and they filled me with a love for nature and for plants. I studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, which included plant sciences, ecology, and evolution. I now work for a sustainability education start-up.

I live in Dorset with my fiancee and our twin baby boys.

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