In recent years in Europe, including in Belarus, such a giant plant has become widespread, like Sosnovsky's hogweed (BS). With fast growth, winter hardiness, resistance to pests and diseases, exceptionally high seed productivity, it crowds out native species of herbaceous plants in open spaces – along the roads, power lines, along the banks of the rivers, lakes and canals, in abandoned lands, wastelands, parks and places of mass recreation of people.

The severity of the problem of hogweed Sosnowski is complemented by the fact, that it is not safe for human health.

What is Sosnovsky's hogweed?

Rod Hogweed, or Heracleum (Negas1eit), in the flora of the former USSR there are 34 the species. In the world flora is found almost 70 hogweed species. In the late 40s of the XX century, it began to be used as a fodder crop.. The very first and most highly productive among others
species was selected Sosnovsky's hogweed – named after the well-known study of the flora of the Caucasus by botanist D.I.. Sosnovsky. But the milk of cows, consuming B C, reeked of bitterness and breeding was stopped.

hogweed – aggressive plant; hitting the fields and finding themselves without proper care, it began to spread and occupy all the free places.

Ego – large (to 3 meters) biennial, blooming once in a lifetime, a plant.

Stem furrowed-ribbed, rough, bears large yellowish-green leaves. The root system is located in the layer up to 30 cm, individual roots reach deep 2 meters. Inflorescence – compound umbrella. On average, one plant produces about 20 seed ltd, but individual specimens can produce more 100 000 seeds. In the first year, it usually germinates from 20 to 70 %; for the second year – from 30 to 60 % from seeds that did not germinate in the first year. Some hogweed fruits can only germinate through 5-6 years.

Why is Sosnovsky's cow parsnip dangerous??

The danger of the cow parsnip is, that all parts of the plant contain furocoumarins – substances, sharply increase the body's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Contact with stems, leaves, flowers, contact with hogweed juice on the skin when exposed to ultraviolet leads to phytochemical burns: local hyperemia of the skin occurs (redness), itching grows, edema develops, epidermal blisters are formed with a transparent (serous) content. The burn may appear after 15 minutes after contact with the plant. The skin turns red after a day (erythema), under it there is a large accumulation of fluid, then within three days there is an inflammatory reaction with the formation of blisters. Even limited area superficial burns heal for a long time, often with the development of local inflammation, formation of hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin), that stays for months.