Warning issued about toxic giant hogweeds ahead of summer holidays

People across Scotland are being urged to be aware of the invasive plant, which contains a toxic chemical that sensitises the skin to sunlight and causes severe blisters, resulting in burns and even blindness.

Every year gardeners, walkers, children and animals are hurt by the plant.

NatureScot and Care of Burns in Scotland Managed Clinical Network (COBIS) are encouraging people to be vigilant, know what the toxic plant looks like and to avoid it.

This comes ahead of the summer holidays, where children will be playing outdoors more.

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NatureScot’s Invasive Species Policy Manager Stan Whitaker said: “It’s really important for people to be able to recognise giant hogweed so they can avoid potentially serious injury.

“Thankfully the plant is relatively easy to identify when fully grown due to its enormous size of between two and four metres tall, with large white clusters of flowers up to 80 centimetres wide.

“Its leaves are very large and sharply divided and can be over one metre across while the stems are green with purple blotches and covered with bristly hairs.”

Giant hogweed in Muirhead. Picture by Gordon Terris.

He added: “As well as being a health risk to people and animals, giant hogweed is also a risk to our environment because it forms dense patches which crowd out our native plants.

“It can be very tricky to eradicate, because each plant produces over 20,000 seeds, which can live in the soil for up to five years, so land owners need to take a long-term approach to removing it every year, before it flowers.”

Giant hogweed is not native to Scotland but is widespread and is commonly found along river banks, on waste ground and beside roads and train tracks.

Eleanor Robertson, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has issued advice on what must be done if someone comes into contact with hogweed.

She said: “This plant, although impressive to look at, is best avoided and reported to your local council.

"If you do come in to contact with the plant, you must cover the affected area to block sunlight then thoroughly wash the area to remove the sap.

"Should redness or blistering occur, you should seek medical help.”

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The Glasgow Times previously reported that locals living in a housing estate on the outskirts of the city were 'worried sick' about the invasion of 9ft tall hogweeds in their area. 

Kelly Merrilees, 32, refuses to let her six-year-old daughter Blake play outside after giant hogweed - recognised as among the most dangerous in the UK - spread into her garden.

Anyone who spots giant hogweed growing in parks, playing fields, footpaths or road verges should report it to the local authority.