Who'd Live In Marsh Like This?

I thought I'd just share a bit of a comical experience I had whilst working this week. I was on an RSPB nature reserve spraying an invasive plant species called Giant Hogweed. Its a particularly nasty plant, the stem and leaves contain a horrible phototoxin which causes burns that can last for years and scar for life, and it spreads like wildfire.

Yes, this plant causes phytophotodermatitis, which basically means it causes chemical burns that damages the victim's skin, leaving a wound which can 'reactivate' when exposed to sunlight or ultra violet. Horrific stuff! Its understandable then why a conservation charity would accept the use of pesticides on their land in this extreme circumstance, particularly along the pathways.

Some of the materials they'd used for a makeshift shelter
in amongst the Hogweed.

What was funny though was that we found the remains of camp that had been set up by illegal immigrants, and Giant Hogweed was all around where they'd been sleeping. It seems that they had jumped out of a lorry on the slip road bordering the nature reserve, and stayed within a few hundred yards for the duration of the winter. In their defence the conditions they'd been living in were pretty horrific, I don't know why anyone would put themselves through such an awful experience.

I doubt the shit hole bed-sit they're going to receive from the Government will be worth the suffering they put themselves through. With a little bit of luck the Giant Hogweed burns they likely endured will be a constant reminder to them that nobody, not even the local invasive flora, ever wanted them here in this country.



Previous year's stem, note the large 'umbrella'
and freakishly thick stem.

Fortunately for those of you who want to avoid severe chemical burns, Giant Hogweed is a relatively easy plant to spot once you know what you're looking for. It belongs to a family of plants known as Apiaceae which includes a wide range of well known herbs and plants from the edible Parsley, Carrot and Fennel to the not so edible Hemlock. Being a biennial plant, new growth generally comes out from around the base of the previous year's dried up stalks which makes identification very easy even in early spring as the new lush green plants emerge.

When fully grown it can stand at over two metres tall, appears 'umbrella' like and possesses a pretty hefty three to four inch thick stem at its base. Obviously if you're ever going to handle this plant you will need gloves and full body protection including for your eyes and face. You shouldn't fuck about with this plant!