Giant Hogweed has been
found growing in abundance beside the railway tracks, near Bray Harbour in
County Wicklow. It stems are up to 15 or 20 meters in height and the plant is
spreading into a local park. It may be possible to destroy the plant by using a
site clearance weed-killer like murphy’s tumbleweed, but great care must be
taken, when using this weed-killer to wear gloves and eye, nose and mouth
protection, against inhaling or being splashed with the weed-killer, in
addition, you must protect yourself from contact with the Giant Hogweed. Children
are inclined to play with the tubular stems of the Hogweed and usually use the
stems as BLOW-TUBES or peashooters. The resulting burns can be serious indeed
and the child may become ill. It has been thought that the Giant Hogweed under
certain conditions will die on the stems, but photographs taken at the Hog Weed
growing site proves that new growth starts from the apparently dead stems.
Limerick city and
county councils have embarked on a three-year project to control the spread of
Giant Hogweed on the River Loobagh near Kilmallock.
The plant, which can
grow up to five metres in height, is one of the most unwanted invasive species
in Ireland and there is an EU-wide ban on the sale, growing and keeping of
Giant Hogweed.
 |
| Giant Hogweed Beginning To Flowe |
Introduced into
Ireland and Britain in the 19th Century as a Victorian garden curiosity, it
"escaped" into the wild firstly in the Dublin area.
Now it grows in more
than 1,300 locations around the country, especially along river banks and other
areas of damp ground.
It is a public health
hazard due to its toxic sap, which causes severe dermatitis, and can cause
blindness if sap from the plant got into someone's eyes.
Giant Hogweed is
spread by seeds with each plant capable of producing up 50,000 seeds. A team of experts has
been working to cut the flowering heads off the plants in an area on the River
Loobagh, but local authorities are keen to get the public involved, and a campaign
will be launched later this month.
 |
| LEFT: The Site Near Bray Harbour Where Giant Hogweed Grows In Abundance. |
Chartered
Environmentalist Dr Frances Giaquinto is appealing to landowners along the
river bank area to check their gardens for Giant Hogweed.
Speaking on RTÉ's
Morning Ireland, she said that because the plant was dispersed by seed, it was
essential to start at the top of the catchment and work systematically down.
She said the team
could do that, but if there were pockets of flowering plants that they do
not know about, such as on private land, then eradication cannot be achieved.
She said: "We're
appealing to people to look in their back gardens or fields, and if you see a
plant that looks like this, please contact the council.
"It doesn't
matter if you're wrong, we can come and look. If you give us permission, we can
start to take action to eradicate it."
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| Giant Hogweed Has Distinctive Leaves. |
What happens to your
skin?
Around 24 hours
after touching the sap the skin will become red, with an accumulation of
fluid under the affected part.
Within
three days, a strong inflammatory reaction will become evident, and skin
will become hyper-pigmented (unusual darkening of the skin), which can last for
months.
Who is at risk?
Giant Hogweed is
dangerous for gardeners, landscapers and other operatives working in areas
where it is growing, or for children playing in affected areas.
Nick Head, an invasive
species contractor, said the plant was quite extensive in Ireland.
 |
| Children Are Tempted To Play With The Tubular Stems of the Giant Hogweed Plant. |
Speaking on the same programme,
he said it spreads by seed, so the main way of getting rid of it is to
eliminate the seed bank.
He said the majority
of reports say the seed bank lasts for up to three years, with some reports
claiming it lasts up to seven years.
"As far as I know,
it's in every river and tributary coming down into the Shannon from Fermanagh,
so it's a big problem. It's in areas where native vegetation is being overtaken
for nearly a kilometre, and there's no other growth except for this
plant," he said.
 |
| New Shoots Grow From The Apparently Dead Hogweed Stem. |
Its seeds can travel on the
wind and in water, meaning that it can travel relatively easily in the right
conditions. Is it in Ireland?:
Yes. The species is widespread
throughout the island of Ireland. Hand cutting should never be undertaken
unless the operator is wearing full protective clothing to prevent skin
contamination by the sap.
Ends:
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https://www.ageuk.org.uk/
If you or someone you know has been
affected by mental health issues you can contact:
·
Samaritans
- 116 123, text 087 2609090 or email jo@samaritans.ie
·
Pieta
House (Suicide & Self-harm) - 1800 247 247 or 01 623 5606
·
Aware
(Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder & Anxiety) - 1800 80 48 48
·
Grow
(Mental Health support & Recovery) - 1890 474 474
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Bodywhys
(Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland) - 1890 200 444
·
Childline
(for under 18s)
·
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- 1800 66 66 66.
