Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium

Features

Heracleum sphondylium, commonly known as hogweed, common hogweed or cow parsnip, is a herbaceous perennial or biennial plant, in the umbelliferous family Apiaceae.

Species	Annual and biennial plant
Living space	Cultivated areas, Dark forest, Meadow, Treeline
Size	over 120 cm

Description

The leaves are hairy and cut at the edges and divided into 3 to 5 parts. The stem is hollow and overgrown with short hairs. The flowers are pink or white and have five petals, and are collected in whorls that can reach up to 20 cm in diameter. In kobuli are collected from 15 to 30 flowers located at the end of long stalks. Its nectar feeds on bees, wasps and some species of flies. From fertilized flowers develop flattened oval seeds with wings that reach up to 10 mm in length. They are blown away by the wind. Young leaves are a good source of vitamin C, beta carotene and other vitamins. It stimulates digestion, disinfects, cleanses the blood vessels, lowers blood pressure.