Heracleum sphondylium (hogweed)

Heracleum sphondylium leaves

Leaf type: Pinnate, lobed
Leaf margin: Notched
Phyllotaxis: Opposite, alternate
Colour: Green
Life cycle: Perennial

Leaf (upper side)

Heracleum sphondylium leaf
Basal leaf in spring.

Hogweed leaf

Wasp on hagweed leaf
A wasp (?) hides between the leaves of Heracleum sphondylium.

Growth habit & biology

Heracleum sphondylium is a deciduous perennial plant that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and bloom in Central Europe from May to September. Its lower leaves can reach lengths of up to 60 centimeters.

Heracleum sphondylium growth habit in spring
Growth habit of Heracleum sphondylium in spring (April).

Distribution & habitates

Europe, North Africa and, as an introduced species, also in New Zealand, North America and Asia (source).

Hogweed can be found not only in meadows, but also in ditches, sparse forests and on riverbanks. It prefers locations with evenly moist soil.

Heracleum sphondylium in meadow
Heracleum sphondylium in meadow.

Botany

Heracleum sphondylium is a member of the umbellifer family (Apiaceae) and is commonly known as hogweed, common hogweed, or cow parsnip.

Heracleum sphondylium hogweed
Hogweed / common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)