Cumbria's giant hogweed hotspots revealed

An interactive maps shows the plant has been found in four different areas across Cumbria.

What is Giant Hogweed?

You’re most likely to see Giant Hogweed between June- August and it can be identified by its tall umbellifer and large, white, umbrella-like clusters of flowers.

It has a hollow, rigid which is purple-spotted, and it favours damp areas, such as riverbanks.

However, it gained a reputation as one of the UK’s most dangerous plants for its blister-causing sap.

After contact with the sap, the skin will start to blister and later form a brown scar; the skin will also be sensitive to sunlight for some time afterwards.

Due to the potentially damaging symptoms associated with hogweed sap, you shouldn’t attempt to remove or cut down hogweed for yourself.

An interactive map that has been created by Whatshed.co.uk shows that four areas in the county are hotspots for the dangerous plant.

The website explains: "The spread of this invasive species across the UK has become increasingly rapid, it must be stopped. The first step in tackling this invasive species is accurately determining where Giant Hogweed is found. To do that, we need your help!

"The Environment Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural Resources Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency joined forces to create an app that was formally used to tack this invasive and dangerous plant. Unfortunately due to funding issues, The PlantTracker app is now no longer available from the iTunes App Store, Google Play Store and Windows Store. We all hoped that this would be temporary but now after over 18 months it’s looking like this is not going to happen.

"To help continue the collection of this important data for the Biological Records Centre’s iRecord system WhatShed have created this interactive map that shows all the locations for Giant Hogweed sightings in the UK. We have also created a simple form below the map where we ask people who have seen this dangerous plant to enter the details of the sighting so an expert can verify it."

The map showsthat giant hogweed has been reported near Rockcliffe, in Carlisle, at two different locations in Wigton and near Lazonby.

Giant hogweed hotspots revealed. Picture: WhatShed

How to treat hogweed burns

Healthline says that you should wash the area with mild soap and cool water as quickly as possible.

You should keep the skin covered when you’re outside to protect it from the sunlight.

If a rash or blister begins to form, you should seek medical attention.

Your treatment will depend on how severe your reaction is.

“Skin irritation that’s caught early might be treated with a steroid cream and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain,” Healthline explains.

“Severe burns could require surgery to graft new skin over the damaged skin.”

Healthline also explains that the giant hogweed sap can damage more than just your skin - if the sap gets in your eyes, you can experience either temporary or permanent blindness.

Similarly, breathing in sap particles can result in respiratory problems.