Common Hogweed

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spotty_pony

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I have found what I *think* is Common Hogweed in one of my new fields (no horses have been in it yet). Am I correct in thinking this is poisonous to horses and needs removing? Is this different to Hemlock? Some of it has flowered and some is large clumps of leaves low to ground. Haven't got a photo but can get one tomorrow... if it does need removing what is the best way? It is well spread out over quite a large field so fencing it off isn't really an option. Any advice much appreciated!
 
My horses have all loved eating hogweed which is a very common hedgerow plant here. I would google it to get a definitive answer about how toxic it is or isn't.
 
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Hogweed is in the same family as hemlock but perfectly safe to feed. Hemlock has purple splotches up the stems. Once you have seen both you will not get them mixed up.
 
We had it in one of our fields when we moved here four years ago. We have just about got it under control.
I don't think it's actually poisonous but can cause a nasty skin reaction when combined with sunlight.
It is very difficult to get under control and you'll have to be very persistent.
If you try digging one out you'll see why...the route system is huge.
We found the only thing which really had an effect was spraying with glysophate. Grazon is supposed to have some control
but we found it useless.
Importantly don't let it seed, remove flower heads as soon as they appear,as each flowerhead contains hundreds of seeds. Unfortunately spraying with glyphosate will kill the grass as well. It will die back in winter but will be back around feb/march.
It may be worth speaking to a company like Progreen for advise as new things are coming on the market all the time.
 
spotty_pony said:
I have found what I *think* is Common Hogweed in one of my new fields (no horses have been in it yet). Am I correct in thinking this is poisonous to horses and needs removing? Is this different to Hemlock? Some of it has flowered and some is large clumps of leaves low to ground. Haven't got a photo but can get one tomorrow... if it does need removing what is the best way? It is well spread out over quite a large field so fencing it off isn't really an option. Any advice much appreciated!
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Are you sure it isn't cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris which is completely harmless to horses.....

Fiona
 
cobgoblin said:
Common hogweed isn't poisonous... My horses eat it and have done so for years.

Giant hogweed is poisonous and causes a nasty rash if touched in sunlight.
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According to Wikipedia cow parsley is Anthriscus sylvestris and common hogweed is Heracleum sphondylium.

Similar but different, one may be slightly toxic, the other as you point out can be eaten (mine adore it in May).

Fiona
 
Make sure it's not giant hogweed, as said above it can cause severe skin problems and spreads really.quickly, one plant has hundreds of seeds. We have battled it for the last few years and finally have it under control
 
Sorry for dragging up old thread but my mare ate some of this when on hand grazing and it says toxic to horses
 

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ILuvCowparsely said:
Sorry for dragging up old thread but my mare ate some of this when on hand grazing and it says toxic to horses
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Heracleum species are not generally considered poisonous (ie they're safe to eat) but they do contain photosensitising compounds in varying degrees. I'd be very surprised if you've got Heracleum sibiricum though, it's not native. But it does look sufficiently like H. sphondylium (common hogweed - which is itself very variable in appearance) to confuse most/all plant apps.
 
Hemlock water drop worth is poisonous, very bright green and grows along dykes .
 
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cobgoblin said:
Common hogweed isn't poisonous... My horses eat it and have done so for years.

Giant hogweed is poisonous and causes a nasty rash if touched in sunlight.
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This was my understanding too when I looked into it a few years ago as I had bought a batch of hay with lots of hogweed in it.
It absolutely stinks dried in hay! Really deep musky sweaty smell - I’ve never seen it fresh to know if you crush the leaves they stink weird too!
 
PurBee said:
This was my understanding too when I looked into it a few years ago as I had bought a batch of hay with lots of hogweed in it.
It absolutely stinks dried in hay! Really deep musky sweaty smell - I’ve never seen it fresh to know if you crush the leaves they stink weird too!
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Was that hogweed or hemlock? They look pretty similar but the hemlock stinks like mouse urine. Never smelt hogweed.
 
Errin Paddywack said:
Was that hogweed or hemlock? They look pretty similar but the hemlock stinks like mouse urine. Never smelt hogweed.
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Yes, definitely hogweed as was fully developed whole branches of it in the hay with leaves and flower tops. I’ve never smelt dried hemlock and never knew that was pungent smelling too.
Seems potential nasty plants can have a funky smell - ragwort leaves fresh crushed is yucky acrid smelling.
 
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