Heracleum mantegazzianum

Specimens at the Museum

• Heraculeum Leaf. Dried. 2008. fa.35.8908.st.
• Heraculeum Enflorescences. Dried. 2008. fa.35.8909.st
• Large Stem of the Heracleum Plant, with some leaves and enflorescence. fa.35.8910. These three specimens gifts of Christopher Wilson.

Description and Variation

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a member of the parsley or carrot family, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). As its name indicates it is characterized by its size and may grow to 15 to 20 feet in height. Except for size, it closely resembles cow parsnip, (Heracleum lanatum). It is further distinguished by a stout dark reddish-purple stem and spotted leaf stalks. Stalks and stem produce sturdy pustulate bristles. The stem and stalks are hollow, stems vary 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The compound leaves of giant hogweed may expand to five feet in breadth. Each leaflet is deeply incised. Giant hogweed is a perennial with tuberous root stalks which form perennating buds each year. The inflorescence is a broad flat-topped umbel composed of many small white florets. Each inflorescence may attain a diameter of 2-1/2 feet. The florets produce large elliptic dry fruits marked with brown swollen resin canals up to 1 mm in diameter.

Economic Importance

Giant hogweed has been introduced to Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States as a garden curiosity. Because of its tenacious and invasive nature it soon becomes a pest within the ornamental garden and readily escapes. It has naturalized in many of the places where it was first introduced. Growing along streams in Ontario, on Vancouver Island, and in Great Britain it forms a dense canopy outcompeting native riparian species and results in an increase in soil erosion along the stream banks where it occurs. The plant exudes a clear watery sap which sensitizes the skin to ultraviolet radiation. This can result in severe burns to the affected areas resulting in severe blistering and painful dermatitis. These blisters can develop into purplish or blackened scars. Proliferating populations in urban and suburban areas represents an increasing public health hazard.

Giant hogweed is currently on the federal noxious weed list. Its placement on these lists were due to its potential menace as a public health hazard. Populations throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, Ontario, Vancouver Island, and in New York State are all thought to have gotten their start as an ornamental curiousity.

Geographic Distribution

Giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus mountains and southwestern Asia. It has been introduced to the European continent, the United Kingdom, Ontario, Vancouver Island (Canada) and New York State as a garden ornamental. From these initial sites of introduction it has escaped and naturalized.

Habitat

Giant hogweed may colonize a wide variety of habitats but is most common along roadsides, other rights-of-way, vacant lots, streams and rivers. Because giant hogweed often grows in wet areas, we are considering it to be an invasive freshwater weed.

History, Growth, Development, and Reproduction

Giant hogweed is a perennial which takes several years from germination to produce the first flowering stalk. It is believed to be monocarpic, dying after first flowering and seed set. Individual plants however, may produce additional crowns which continue to flower and set seed. Seed longevity is known to be greater than seven years. Reproduction is through seed and perennating buds formed on the crown and tuberous root stalk. Abundant seed production, a persistent root stalk, and vegetative reproduction from perennating buds are cited as reasons for its capability to colonize rapidly and expand populations.

Biocontrol Potential

Cattle and pigs are cited as possible biocontrol agents. Both eat giant hogweed without apparent harm. Trampling also damages the plant. Whether any formal investigation for phytophagous insects in giant hogweed's native range has been conducted is unknown.

Nomenclature

Heracleum Cow Parsnip, Masterwort
Heracleum dulce Sweet Cow Parsnip
Heracleum giganteum Jättebjörnloka
Heracleum laciniatum Jättebjörnloka Jättiläisputki
Heracleum lanatum Cow Parsnip
Heracleum mantegazzianum Jättebjörnfloka Kaukaasianputki
Heracleum maximum Giant Hogweed
Heracleum pubescens Persian Putki
Heracleum sibiricum Björnfloka Ukonputki
Heracleum sosnowskyi Jättiläisukonputki

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed, Eltrot, Cow Parsnip
Suom. Ukonputki
Deu.' 'Wiesen-Bärenklau, Berg-Bärenklau
Fran. Berce Sphondyle, Berce Commune, Berce des Montagnes, Berce Élégante, Branc-Ursine, Grande Berce, Herbe du Diable
Ital. Ppanace Comune, Panace Montano
Dutch Ggewone Bereklauw.
Span. Branca Ursina
Bot. syn.: Heracleum cordatum Presl., Heracleum sibiricum L., Pastinaca sphondylium (L.) Calest., Sphondylium branca Scop.

Kings American Dispensatory, 1898

The root of Heracleum lanatum, Linné. Nat. Ord.—Umbelliferae. COMMON NAMES: Masterwort, Cow-parsnip.

Botanical Source.—This plant, sometimes called Cow-parsnip, has a large, spindle-shaped, perennial root, of a strong, disagreeable smell, from which arises a hollow, thick, furrowed, branching and pubescent stem, from 3 to 6 feet high, and often an inch or more in width at the base. The leaves are very large, on downy, channeled petioles, and ternately compound; the leaflets roundish-cordate, and unequally lobed; the lobes acuminate, almost glabrous above, and woolly underneath. The flowers are white, in huge umbels, often a foot broad, with deciduous involucres. Involucels long-pointed, lanceolate, and many-leaved. The calyx limb is composed of 5 small, acute teeth. The petals are obcordate, with the point inflexed, the outer larger and radiant, appearing deeply 2-cleft. The fruit is compressed, oval, with a broad, flat margin, and 3 obtuse dorsal ribs to each carpel; intervals with single vittae, and seeds flat (G.—W.—R).

History, Description, and Chemical Composition.—Found growing in moist meadows and cultivated grounds from Labrador to Pennsylvania, and west to Oregon, flowering in June. The root is the part used; is somewhat analogous to parsley in appearance, has a strong, peculiar, unpleasant odor, and an ill-flavored acrimonious taste. The recent root and leaves, when placed in contact with the skin, irritate and inflame it; and that which inhabits very damp localities is considered poisonous (B). The leaves and seeds have also been used medicinally. The root probably contains acrid principles, volatile oil, and resin. The plant is stated by Nuttall (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1836, Vol. VII, p. 281) to be hardly distinct from Heracleum sphondylium, Linné, of Europe and Asia. This plant is also known as Cow-parsnip, and has similar medicinal properties. The fruits of all species of Heracleum thus far analyzed, abound in volatile oil, free ethyl and methyl alcohol and solid hydrocarbons of the paraffine series.

From Heracleum giganteum Gutzeit obtained 2 per cent of volatile oil, which was differentiated into 10 per cent of a mixture of ethyl-butyrate and acetate, and 55 per cent of hexyl-butyrate and octyl-acetale. Besides, a crystallizable substance, heraclin (C32H22O10), was obtained from the immature fruits. It is a colorless, odorless substance, melting at 185° C. (365° F.), insoluble in water, not easily soluble in ether, soluble in chloroform, boiling carbon disulphide (1:400) and in cold (1:700) and boiling (1:60) absolute alcohol (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1880, p. 136). The fruits of Heracleum sphondylium yielded to Zincke (Diss., 1869), 0.3 per cent and to Möslinger (Jahresb. der Pharm., 1876, p. 165), 0.8 to 0.9 percent of a volatile oil. (For a review of its constituents, which are similar to those of H. giganteum, see Husemann and Hilger, Pflanzenstoffe.)

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Stimulant, antispasmodic, and carminative. Used in decoction in flatulency and dyspepsia, and 2 or 3 drachms of the powdered root, taken daily in epilepsy, and continued some time, with a strong infusion of the leaves and tops at night, has been found successful. Recent trials with a saturated tincture of the root seem to indicate that it has some power over epilepsy though the conditions in which it is specifically applicable have not yet been determined. Recommended also in asthma, colic, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, palsy, apoplexy, intermittents, etc., in doses of 1 drachm. The dose of a strong tincture (℥viii of root to Oj of alcohol), ranges from 5 to 60 minims.

Related Species.—Imperatoria Ostruthium. The rootstock of Peucedanum Ostruthium, Koch (Imperatoria Ostruthium, Linné), Nat. Ord.—Umbelliferae. Masterwort. This drug consists of a somewhat flattened, subconical rootstock, of about a finger's thickness, and ranging from 2 to 4 inches in length. Its surface is wrinkled, scarred, and warty; its upper portion has a finely annulated appearance. Its color externally is a deep brown-gray; internally dirty white. It has a large central pith, while its bark is thin, and all parts abound in resin cells of a brownish-yellow hue. Its taste is pungent, aromatic, and bitter, giving a prolonged sense of warmth to the mouth. Its odor is markedly balsamic, somewhat resembling angelica. Masterwort is scarcely at all used in America, and is noticed here chiefly on account of its having been used as an adulterant of aconite (Holmes). In former years it was much esteemed as a medicine, being known, on account of its extensive uses, as divinum remedium. It grows in the mountains of central and south Europe. It contains from 0.2 to 0.7 per cent of volatile oil. Osann and Wackenroder, in 1831, obtained from it imperatorin, a principle believed by R. Wagner (1854) to be identical with peucedanin, obtained from Peucedanum officinale, Linné, an allied species, by Schlatter in 1833. However, more recent authors (A. Jassoy, 1890) believe it to be identical with ostruthin (see below). Peucedanin forms colorless, rhombic prisms, or plates, or fine needles, which are odorless and tasteless when pure; they are insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, chloroform, and alcohol, the latter solution having a faintly bitter taste. The pure substance melts at 108° C. (226.4° F.) (P. Haensel, 1891). When concentrated hydrochloric acid solution is added to an alcoholic solution of peucedanin, the latter loses a methyl group and is quantitatively converted into oreoselon (Hlasiwetz and Weidel). The formulae of the two compounds have been differently stated, but the researches of A. Jassoy (1890) and P. Haensel (1891), in Prof. Schmidt's laboratory, and those of M. Popper (1898), have demonstrated the formula of peucedanin to be C14H11(OCH3).O3, or C15H14O4, While oreoselon was found by Hlasiwetz and Weidel (Ann. Chem. Pharm., 1822, Vol. 174, p. 67) to have the (analogous) composition C14H11(OH).O3, or C14H12O4 (see Archiv der Pharm., 1898 p. 662-692). The latter substance is a crystallizable, tasteless body, hardly soluble in cold alcohol or ether, almost insoluble in cold water, better soluble in boiling water, soluble in chloroform, alkalies, and even concentrated mineral acids without undergoing chemical alteration. The melting point of the pure substance is stated to be 175° C. (347° F.) or 177° C. (351.5° F.). Another constituent of imperatoria, is a colorless, odorless, tasteless body, ostruthin (C18H20O3, A. Jassoy, in Archiv der Pharm., 1890, p. 544), which forms characteristic, rhombic crystals., insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and ether. It was obtained from the root, in 1874. by Gorup-Besanez (0.6 per cent). Alkalies dissolve it with beautiful blue fluorescence; weak acids precipitate from this solution ostruthin unchanged. Upon fusing it with caustic alkalies, Gorup-Besanez obtained a small yield of resorcin, and butyric and acetic acids. The same author found in this root oxypeucedanin, a bitter, crystallizable principle, insoluble in ether, soluble in chloroform, and previously observed by Erdmann in older roots of Peucedanum officinale. Heut (1874) found its melting point to be 140° C. (284° F.), a result confirmed by Jassoy and Haensel (1898). The root here considered is stimulant, and was formerly used locally in indolent ulcers, buccal paralysis, and toothache, the root being chewed in the latter instances; internally in low fevers and inflammation, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, delirium tremens, hysteria, etc., and in other debilities, both general or local. It has not been used in Eclectic medicine.

King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.

References

• Andrews, A. H., Giles, C. J., and L. R. Thomsett. 1985. Suspected poisoning of a goat by giant hogweed. Veterinary Records. February 1985. 116(8):205-207.

• Arora, K., Grace, J. and F. Stewart. 1982. Epidermal features of Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. & Lev., Heracleum sphondylium L. and their hybrid—scanning electron and light microscopy, taxa discrimination. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. October 1982. 85(3):169-177.

• Barclay, G. F., Oparka, K. J., and R. P. C. Johnson. 1977. Induced disruption of sieve element plastids in Heracleum mantegazzianum. Journal of Experimental Botany. 28(104):709-717.

• Barclay, G. F. 1982. Slime plugs do not inhibit surge flow in sieve tubes Heracleum mantegazzianum L., Heracleum sphondylium. Plant Physiology. 60(7):1281-1284.

• Bechtle, W. 1977. "Beware of Hercules (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Kosmos. 7:502-506.

• Clegg, L. M., Grace, J. 1974. The distribution of Heracleum mantegazzianum (Somm. & Levier) near Edinburgh. Transactions from the Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 42(2):223-229.

• Davies, D.H.K. and Richards, M.C. 1985. Evaluation of herbicides for control of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm & Lev.), and vegetation re-growth in treated areas. Tests of Agrochemicals and Cultivars. Annals of Applied Biology. April 1985. (6) p. 100-101.*

• Dawe, N.K., and White, E. R. 1979. Giant Cow Parsnip (Heracleum mantegazzianum) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canadian Field Naturalist. 93:82-83.*

• Dreher, K. 1972. On yield improvement: giant cow parsnip. [Heracleum mantegazzianum, honey plants]. Biene. 108(10):307-308.

• Ezeala, D. O., Hart, J. W., and D. D. Sabnis. 1974. Fractionation of monovalent ion-stimulated nucleoside triphosphatase activity in extracts of petiolar tissues [Heracleum mantegazzianum, sunflowers]. Journal of Experimental Botany. 25(89):1037-1044.

• Ezeala, D. O., Hart, J. W., and D. D. Sabnis. 1974. Stimulation by monovalent cations of adensosine triphosphatase activity in extracts of petiole tissues [Heracleum mantegazzianum, sunflowers]. Journal of Experimental Botany. 25(89):1045-1052.

• Fischer, F. C., Jasperse, P. H., Karlesen, J., and A. Berheim-Svendsen. 1974. A new furancocumaringlycoside from Heracleum mantegazzianum. Phytochemistry. 13(10):2334-2335.

• Fischer, F. C., van Doorne, H., Dannenberg, G. 1982. Glycosides and glycosidase in Heracleum mantegazzianum their possible role in resistance against fungi. Monographs in Systematic Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden. 6:783-792.

• Grace, J., Stewart, F. 1982. Hybridization in the genus Heracleum in the British Isles Heracleum sphondylium with Heracleum mantegazzianum, ecosystems. Monographs of Systematic Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden. 6:773-782.

• Hart, J. W., Sabnis, D. D. 1973. Colchicine binding protein from phloem and xylem of a higher plan. Planta. 109(2):147-152.

• Hart, J. W., Sabnis, D. D. 1976. Binding of colchicine and lumicolchicine to components in plant extracts [Heracleum mantegazzianum]. Phytochemistry. 15(12):1897-1901.

• ibid. 1975. The occurrence and some properties of a new filamentous component of plant extracts [Heracleum mantegazzianum, electronmicroscapy]. Annals of Botany. 39(159):153-159.

• Horticulture: The Magazine of American Gardening. November 1991*

• Hypio, Peter, Cope, Edward. 1982. Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Misc. Bulletin 123.*

• Kees, H., Krumrey, G. 1983. Heracleum mantegazzianum—ornamental plant, weed and poisonous plant. [toxicity to livestock and humans, control]. Gesunde Pflanzen. Kommentator. April 1983. 35(4):108-110.

• Morton, J. K. 1975. The giant cow parsnip, Heracleum mantegazzianum Umbelliferae, in Canada. Candian Field Naturalist. 89(2):183-184.

• Morton, J.K. 1978. Distribution of giant cow parsnip (Heracleum mantegazzianum) in Canada. Canadian Field Naturalist. 92(2):182-185.

• Murphy, R. 1986. A reanalysis of particle motion in sieve tubes of Heracleum. Annals of Botany. May 1986. 57(5):667-674.

• O'Brien, T. P., McCully, M. E. 1970. Cytoplasmic fibres associated with streaming and saltatory-particle movement in Heracleum mantegazzianum. Planta. 94(1):91-94.

• Rubow. T. 1979. Control of Heracleum mantegazzianum in economic crops. Medd-Statens-Planteavlsforsog. 81(1497):4p. (in Danish)

• Sabnis, D. D., Hart, J. W. 1974. Studies on the possible occurrence of actomyosin-like proteins in phloem. [Heracleum mantagazzianum]. Planta. 118(4):271-281.

• Stewart, F., Grace, J. 1984. An experimental study of hybridization between Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm & Levier and Heracleum sphondyllium L. subsp. sphondylium (Umbelliferae) [Transfers of pollen between the parent species]. Watsonia. August 1984. 15(2):73-78.
• Vanhaelen, M. Vanhaelen-Fastre, R. 1974. Furanocoumarins from the root of Heracleum mantegazzianum. Phytochemistry 13(1):306.
• Vanhaelen-Fastre, R., Vanhaelen, M. 1973. Polyacetylenes in C17 of Heracleum mantegazzianum roots. Phytochemistry. 12(11):2687-2689.
• Weimarck, G., Stewart, F., and J. Grace. 1979. Morphometric and chromatographic variation and male meiosis in the hybrid Heracleum mantegazzianum x Heracleum sphondylium (Apiacease) and its parents.
• Hereditas. 91(1):117-127.
• Wright, M. 1984. Giant hogweed: time for action is now [Heracleum mantegazzianum, Great Britain]. New Scientist. April 1984. 101(1404):44.*
• Yapa, P. A. J., Spanner, D. C. 1972. Isoelectric focusing of sieve-tube protein. Planta. 106(4)369-373.

Reference Notes

Giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, is on the federal noxious weed list. Introduction through imports into the United States is illegal; interstate and intrastate movement of this species is illegal.

Russel Hahn, Weed Scientist, Cornell University, 3-7-90, 607-255-1759, (personal communication). Noted giant hogweed is an escaped ornamental in New York state where it is found along roadsides and in vacant lots. Spread appears to be slow but steady. Concern in New York centers around the ability of this plant to cause photodermatitis in people. Children are particularly prone because of its occurrence in vacant lots and its use as a make-shift weapon. Glyphosate and dicamba are effective according to Dr. Hahn.

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