Giant Hogweed in Forres - victim Hannah Lewis backing Wild Things initiative to get rid of ‘evil plant’
A woman who was caused great pain after being burned by “an evil plant” is calling for more awareness to keep the community safe.
Keen dog walker, Hannah Lewis, is warning of the dangers of Giant Hogweed after brushing against it while walking her pets near the beach.
Her warning comes a the same time as environmental group Wild Things appeals for volunteers to help eradicate the invasive species.
Hannah said: “I want to warn folk about the danger, especially military families who aren't familiar with the area. I would hate for a child or pet to come into contact with this evil plant.
“There are no warning signs or fences but two to three metre tall plants are rife in the nature reserve on the left-hand side of the road from Kinloss towards Findhorn.
“I’d parked in the carpark near the bird hide there and walked down the tarmac path running along the coast. I touched hogweed whilst clearing up after my dog, suffering burns to my arm and hand.
“I had to visit A&E as I still had blisters forming a week afterwards.”
Hannah’s burns and blisters initially did not appear until a few days after the contact.
“It felt itchy,” she said, “like a nettle being held to my skin. Day four is when the blisters really started to show, forming in clusters then into one big blister. That’s when the pain kicked in.
“Day five was the worst when the main blister - the size of a ping pong ball - burst, causing me a lot more pain. While removing dressing to clean the wound, it took my skin off in one chunk.”
Hannah was advised to dial 111 then visited the minor injuries unit in Elgin where the wound was cleaned and dressed.
Blisters continued to form after the sap was activated by the sun’s UV rays and the skin that came into direct contact with the plant has still not healed.
Hannah added: “It could take weeks or months before I can safely have that area out in the sun as more blistering and scaring can occur.”
She has reported the hogweed to the government but wants warning signs to be erected ASAP.
“The pain is unbearable at times,” she finished. “However, I’ve come off lucky compared to some of the burns I’ve seen online.”
Hogweed was introduced to the UK in the late 19th century as an ornamental garden plant. It can reach heights of up to 5.5m and produce leaves 1m wide, with flowers capable of producing around 30,000 seeds per plant. They quickly colonise areas, shading out other plants and reducing diversity of native flora.
When hogweed dies back in winter, it leaves behind bare soil, increasing the chance of soil erosion and flooding.
Moray Council treats Giant Hogweed growing next to public roads or promoted footpaths.
The local authority carries out a programme of control, in Forres, targeted downstream of the A96 Findhorn Bridge to the back run, during May and June. Glyphosate-based herbicide is used on establishing plants which die back around two weeks later.
A spokesperson said: “Moray Council has, for the last three years, contributed some of the Nature Restoration Fund grant allocated by the Scottish Government to the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative’s work on the Findhorn, Lossie and Spey catchments.”
The Findhorn Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust (FNLRT) have been battling Giant Hogweed since 2012. The programme - currently funded through NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund - has taken a strategic approach to control by treating the plant at its highest point upriver and working downstream toward the river mouth.
A FNLRT spokeswoman explained: “It's an enormous task with hogweed densities being particularly high in the Moray area.
“However, significant progress has been made on the rivers Findhorn and Nairn, and the Mosset and Muckle Burns. This has been achieved through working closely with local landowners, farmers and volunteer organisations such as Wild Things and Green Hive.
“However, with Giant Hogweed seeds lasting up to 10 years within the soil, a long-term commitment to control is required.”
Anyone who would like to join the programme should contact Scottish Invasive Species Project officer, Elise Cox, via 07880 971890 or elisecox@fnlft.onmicrosoft.com
More Information is available at https://www.invasivespecies.scot/index.php/about-us
Wild Things is working with Moray Council and Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust (FNLFT) to restore habitats and increase biodiversity at sites across Forres and Elgin.
The Findhorn-based charity is currently working with volunteers to remove invasive non-native species along the lower Findhorn.
Wild Things fieldwork instructor, Jack Farge, confirmed hogweed is most prevalent along water courses because its seeds are spread by the river.
He said: “Since the eradication project started in 2015, with our fantastic volunteers, we’ve drastically reduced the extent of hazardous plants. We’ve turned many areas of the woodlands around Moray Waste Buster's from hogweed jungle's to a lovely mix of native flora.
“However, the project is now at a stage where we need more support to keep progressing. The area we cover each year is vast and extra volunteers will provide us with enough resources to keep pushing down towards Findhorn Bay.”
Travel expenses are offered to volunteers who meet every Thursday to work from 9.30am-2.30pm.
After a safety brief and putting on personal protective equipment, they work systematically through the woods, spraying the leaves of the plants, with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Jack added: “At this time of year we will start to move on to treating Japanese knotweed by injecting their stems - another targeted and effective method.”
Volunteers are offered regular breaks to catch up over refreshments. Volunteers benefit from access to training, socialising, and taking pride in giving back to the environment and community.
“The Findhorn is a stunning, biodiverse river,” said Jack. “Home to species such as Atlantic salmon, osprey and otters.
“The lower stretch features mixed woodland and a great diversity of flora.
“Hogweed blocks paths and prevents access for recreation. We need to keep wild, places free from these invasive plants.”
Email enquiries@wild-things.org.uk or call 01309 690450 for more information.
