Giant Hogweed Help Needed!!

[amydenness]

I am researching Giant Hogweed species in the UK and I am trying to locate populations of this species to collect specimens from. This is for my Masters degree research project and is being undertaken for the RHS. Can anyone help? Does anyone know of naturalised populations of this species?

[The Woodman]

The densest stand of GH I've ever seen have been on the banks of the R Mersey
near Partington and on the R Bollin near Altrincham, both on the west side of Manchester. Like a forest of the stuff on the banks.

In my neck of the woods the Environment Agency spray it annually on the main R Kent and other watercourses as do the Highways Agency on the roadsides.

It would be worth talking to your local EA ecology team, they will know where it is. Also your local Rivers Trust may have a database, ours, South Cumbria Rivers Trust do, see....South Cumbria Rivers Trust - Identification guides - South Cumbria Rivers Trust

[amydenness]

Thank-you. Unfortunately the EA were not very forthcoming with information when I contacted them previously which is a shame since the research we are conducting has important implications for conservation as well as taxonomy. I will certainly investigate the locations you mentioned and contact the local river trusts.

If anyone has or can get hold of seeds from this species please let me know as the research focuses on seed morphology as a means to identify which species we have in the UK.

The taxonomy of Giant Hogweeds in the UK is by no means clear cut and what we have generally considered to be Heracleum mantegazzianum may indeed be a different species. This is important from a legislation and conservation point of view.

[aeshna5]

It's locally common in parts of London. It was very common along the River Brent, though the council have been spraying it for a few years now, so not as abundant there, but still occurs. I found quite a lot at Yeading Brook Meadows last weekend.

[ddangus]

I know of a naturalised population in NE Scotland (gridref NO4557). I saw in 2009 so hope it is still there. I can possibly collect material (seeds) and or take photos. If you interested in Scotland it might be worth contacting SEPA although I am not sure what their policy is on giant hogweed (if they have one).

[ddangus]

NBN Gateway has an interactive map for Giant Hogweed

NBN Gateway - interactive species mapper

depending on the accuracy of the data provided you will be able to find GH population around the UK, some records only have the 1 km gridsquare reference.

[Datura-Darling]

How strange a coincidence to now read this. I've just seen quite a lot of these monsters today actually (Quite a few where they haven't emerged into bloom and are still all encased also). They were in Totteridge Fields (Just on Hendon wood lane in NW7, London). I can post up some photos here for you later if you like.

[amydenness]

Yes I am definitely interested in Scotland's Giant Hogweeds and if you were able to get photos and some seeds that would be brilliant. If you do visit the plant then please be careful around them as they can cause nasty burns. I'm sure you are aware of this already but just in case :-) If you manage to get hold of seeds (when they are ripe) I can send you a SSAE so that you dont have to pay postage.

I will also contace SEPA.

Many thanks

[amydenness]

Datura-Darling some photos would be brilliant. Thank-you. If you regularly pass these plants if would be great to know when they are in seed as it will be of use to the project.
Thanks

[Mele]

I just saw Datura-Darling's post. I was going to say, GH used to grow (a few years ago mind) in some of the ditches in Totteridge, just north of Darland's Lake (Grid Ref TQ 24245 93496).