A plant that can cause severe skin burns and blisters is growing in locations across Greater Manchester. Experts say Giant Hogweed 'poses a serious risk' to those unaware of it and the harm it can cause.
A map from the website Planttrackers plots where instances of Giant Hogweed have been reported. It highlights a number of areas including in and around the city centre. There have also been a number of areas flagged in Clifton and Little Hulton in Salford, as in Bury, Bolton and Wigan.
There are also individual cases reported in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside and Cheadle Hulme in Stockport.
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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) say Giant Hogweed 'can cause severe skin burns.' Adding: "It is widely distributed in the wild and poses a serious risk to people who are unaware of its potential for harm."
The Mirror reports how giant hogweed is such a problem because it contains high levels of furanocoumarins. This is the chemical which causes the burning by making skin sensitive to sunlight.
The plant is such a problem that politicians included it on The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) which made it an offence to help giant hogweed to grow in England and Wales.
Under some circumstances, local authorities have the powers to require it be removed too. This is the chemical which causes the burning by making skin sensitive to sunlight.
The plant is such a problem that politicians included it on The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) which made it an offence to help giant hogweed to grow in England and Wales.
Under some circumstances, local authorities have the powers to require it be removed too. The Planttrackers map only includes verified records, meaning there could be more giant hogweed out there that just hasn’t been confirmed yet.
