Hogweed (lat. Heracléum) is a genus of plants of the Apiaceae family, numbering approximately 60-70 species. In the old days, in Russian, hogweed was called “borscht”. In ancient times, this word meant something jagged and was given to the plant for the shape of its leaves. Young greens of some plants of this genus (mainly Siberian hogweed) were used to prepare dishes, which for this reason were also called “borscht”.
Sosnowski's hogweed is a giant plant, reaching a height of 2.2-3.1 meters with large leaves (85-125 cm long and 110-150 cm wide) and flowers (up to 75 cm in diameter). The plant secretes a clear phototoxic sap containing photosensitizing compounds. These compounds cause burns when touched on human skin and when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The burn can appear within 15 minutes after contact with the plant. After a day, the skin turns red, a large accumulation of fluid appears under it, then within three days there is an inflammatory reaction with the formation of blisters. After about a week, hyperpigmentation (unusual darkening of the skin) appears on the affected areas and persists for several months. If the resulting blisters are not opened, they last for 2-3 weeks, then gradually dissolve, leaving brown spots. When an infection occurs, the blisters turn into ulcers, followed by the formation of long-lasting wounds.
Sosnowski's hogweed poses a threat to human health and causes environmental problems because... due to the rapid development of populations, it displaces other plants and maintains a dominant position in the occupied territories.
Giant hogweeds grow especially densely in abandoned fields and other places (wastelands, fallow lands, roadsides, banks of reservoirs, forest clearings, etc.). They form plantings of varying densities ranging from several square meters to several hectares.
On the territory of Belarus, Sosnovsky's hogweed is distributed throughout the entire territory, but unevenly, sometimes forming continuous thickets and places of concentration. Centers of concentration and the greatest danger are observed in Minsk, Braslav, Gorodok, Vitebsk, Smolevichi, Glubokoe, Chashnik, Tolochin regions.
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