[LCC-Club] Health hazard - Giant Hogweed

[stephen.henderson at thomsonreuters.com]

Hi All,

 

It's spring again, and time for another reminder about Giant Hogweed.

 

It's an invasive plant that now grows commonly along river banks. Fairly
easy to spot (especially later in the season when it can get really
big), but it is a potential hazard during spring/summer as contact with
its sap can cause a severe toxic skin reaction (see links below). It
dies back in the winter.

 

http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Information/GiantHogweed.htm

 

http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20060802142545511440

 

There has been some sprouting up on the far end of the island below the
clubhouse, but the Council/Environment Agency have recently been down
there spraying it with herbicide. I would suggest we don't use that area
for a couple of weeks while the dead plants rot down and the herbicide
dissipates - after that we should be OK.

 

Watch out for it on river trips generally - if you have to portage, try
to stick to paths/open ground and avoid forcing your way through dense
undergrowth unless you really have to (especially if you are wearing
shorties). If you do come across any, don't be tempted to chop it down
with your paddles - that just increases the risk of contacting the sap.

 

As far as I know, no-one in the club has ever been injured by it - but
let's all be careful and keep it that way.

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

 

Steve Henderson, Chairman, Leeds Canoe Club 
 
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