Technical
The Return Of The Giant Hogweed
Turn and run, nothing can stop them
Around every river and canal their power is growing Stamp them out, we must destroy them
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour
They are invincible They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering
Long ago in the Russian hills A Victorian explorer found The regal Hogweed by a marsh He captured it and brought it home
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge Royal beast did not forget
He came home to London and made a present of the Hogweed To the Royal Gardens at Kew
Waste no time, they are approaching
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter Strike by night they are defenceless
They all need the sun to photo sensitise their venom
Still they’re invincible Still they’re immune to all our herbicidal battering
Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens
In which they innocently planted the giant Hogweed throughout the land
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge Royal beast did not forget
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed preparing for an onslaught Threatening the human race
Mighty Hogweed is avenged Human bodies soon will know, anger Kill them with your Hogweed hairs Heracleum Mantegazzianum
Songwriters: Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford
Taken from the 1971 Genesis album Nursery Cryme which, spookily, had an image of a croquet lawn (of sorts) on the cover.
Image: Peter Gabriel in his ‘be careful with the hair clippers’ phase.
Y 132 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
ou pretty much know that, if a song is written about a plant, it’s going to be something spectacular so, when Genesis wrote The Return of the Giant Hogweed, a horticultural legend was created.
The lyrics (left) pretty much cover everything there is to say, but perhaps, in this case, it is worth emphasising a few key points.
WARNING DANGER: Risk of severe injury
The sap of the Giant Hogweed contains a toxic chemical which, when it comes in contact with skin, causes severe burning and blistering when exposed to sunlight. All parts of Giant Hogweed contain chemicals which can produce phyto- photodermatitis, a sensitive reaction to sunlight. Blistering within twenty-four hours is common, following which the skin discolours
and turns red/purple - which can last for several months - with blistering persisting for up to five years when exposed to sunlight.
People who come in contact with Giant Hogweed are often unaware of the problems that the plant can cause, as touching the plant does not produce an immediate reaction. People’s reactions vary from person to person, with children being most susceptible - people with fair skins or a sensitivity to sunlight will tend to react in a more extreme manner.
The sap will remain active for several hours after cutting, with the highest concentration of the chemicals being within the leaves rather than the stem - the roots will also cause issues and should be dealt with as cautiously as the rest of the plant.
Giant Hogweed
Or, as it is correctly known... Heracleum mantegazzianum
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