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Friday 4th May 2012

A shopping trip to Edinburgh revealed that the Heracleum mantegazzianum, giant hogweed, seems to be doing particularly well, this year.

Giant hogweed has been a frequent subject of this blog but I thought it might be worth giving some pictures that might help with identification since it may well be that you will come across on or adjacent to where you are walking.

This first picture gives an idea of the extent of the plant. Although not one of the major roots into the city, this road is a direct link between the City Bypass and the centre.

These next few pictures are to give an idea of what the young plants look like on a roadside verge.

Here's a close-up of the stems to show the speckled pattern that may help with positive identification.

There was some indication that plants immediately next to the footpath in a lay-by for buses had been treated.

The problem is that, given the continued fall in the real value of council funding in Scotland, there is likely to be less money for control measures, again, this year.

And there's the problem of being able to pay for the maintenance of improvements made in better times that is clearly demonstrated in this picture.

This is the giant hogweed on the left of that shot.

And here's a close-up of that green sign.

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