Giant Hogweed warning as sightings increase along the River Usk

The Natural Resources Wales Four Rivers for LIFE project and Bannau Brycheiniog are reminding the public of the dangers of giant hogweed.

Giant hogweed is an invasive, non-native species of plant that is highly toxic and poses a serious risk to human skin and animals.

Recent sightings of Giant Hogweed along the River Usk have been reported near Glangrwyney, and other sites including Llangattock, Gilwern and Govilon.

We ask the public to not touch any part of the plant if they see it and to report any sightings to your local Biological Records Centre (BIS) or use the LERC Wales App

Giant Hogweed is an invasive and potentially harmful plant that can grow up to 5 metres tall. It can be found throughout the UK mainly by lowland riverbanks, in rough pastures and on wasteland.

Contact with the weed must be avoided as the sap is phototoxic, causing serious skin burns to humans and animals under sunlight that can reoccur for many years.

Giant Hogweed was introduced into the UK in the 19th century from the Caucasus Mountains and Central Asia as an ornamental plant. It is highly-invasive and spreads by distributing seeds and is common throughout much of the UK.

The weed can be confused with the common hogweed, cow parsley or elderflower. It’s set apart by its distinctive size, thick hollow purple blotched stems and very large sharply jagged leaves.  

Beverley Lewis from Bannau Brycheiniog said:

“Due to its potential hazards and risk to humans and animals, BBNP will work with landowners to identify plants and advise on effective methods of control.”

Susie Kinghan from Four Rivers for LIFE said:

“As we move into the growing season and the summer months it’s important that the public are extremely careful around Giant Hogweed. Where it grows, Giant Hogweed out-competes native flowers and reduces species diversity.”

The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project has been working with Bannau Brycheiniog officers and volunteers to control invasive riparian plants species on the River Usk over the last four years, and with the Wye and Usk Foundation to control Giant Hogweed.

The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government.